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MIKEL ARTETA LAUDS EZE’S BRILLIANCE AFTER DAZZLING PERFORMANCE AGAINST PALACE

Mikel Arteta hailed Eberechi Eze's "magic moment" after his stunning volley secured a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The victory sent Arsenal four points clear, but injuries to Rice and Saliba caused concern.

Mikel Arteta lauds Eze’s brilliance after dazzling performance against Palace
Eberechi Eze scored the winning goal for Arsenal against Crystal Palace (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)

After Eberechi Eze scored the game-winning goal in Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta praised him for returning a portion of his £67.5 million transfer fee.

Six minutes before halftime, Eze scored a fantastic goal against his former team to help Arsenal win for the seventh time in a row in all competitions.

Although Mikel Arteta's team did not put on a particularly impressive display at the Emirates, the win puts Arsenal six points ahead of Manchester City, who lost 1-0 at Aston Villa, and four points ahead of second-place Bournemouth in the standings. Liverpool, the reigning champions, is one point further back.

Eze's goal against the team he spent five years with was met with a subdued jubilation. However, it was the England international's much-needed first league goal in seven tries since his high-profile transfer.

When asked if Eze's goal gave him the kind of "magic moment" for which he was signed, Arteta responded, "Yes, 100%."

"He is undoubtedly a big player, and that is what big players do. Hopefully, that will give him a lot of confidence and a boost to create many more moments like this because sometimes that is what defines a season."

Before the game, I did not notice any changes in him. He always has a wide smile on his face and is quite laid back. Given his lengthy tenure at Palace and his deep affection and appreciation for that team, it may have been ingrained in him. He had a pretty amazing game today.

Last season, Arsenal only managed one point in their home games against West Ham and Crystal Palace, as well as away games against Newcastle and Fulham.

They scored 12 points out of 12 this time, and Arteta went on, "We knew how hard it was, so I just told the boys that I treasure this victory more than any other victory this season."

"We are proud of ourselves for being so consistent, but it really means nothing other than let us keep doing a lot of things that we are doing really well. That is where we are (in the league)." Additionally, there is room for improvement to increase our margins.

The injuries to Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and William Saliba were the only negative aspects of Arsenal's quest for their first league title in twenty-two years. Rice and Calafiori were substituted in the second half, but the former did not return after the half.

"There were two things relating to William's substitution, and with Declan, I do not really know because it was a knock," Arteta remarked cryptically. I am not sure if it was his Achilles or his calf. We will have more news tomorrow.

Manager Oliver Glasner stated, "When you give Eze a free shot inside the box, it is very often a goal." Palace has now lost three of its previous four games in all competitions.

"Last season, we benefited a lot, but today, we suffered. In the FA Cup final, he scored the game-winning goal like this. I was happy back then, but now I feel the reverse. I felt depressed.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS: ARSENAL'S WORST GAME SAVED BY DOUBLE STOPPAGE-TIME OWN-GOALS

Mikel Arteta admitted relief after Arsenal snatched a crucial 2-1 win over resilient Wolves via two late own goals, despite delivering their "worst game this season."

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Substitutions Fail to Fire Until Two Late Own-Goals

Mikel Arteta can breathe a sigh of relief after Saturday. Arsenal barely squeaked by with a win against Wolves thanks to a late goal.

Arsenal's play was slow, and they struggled to get past Wolves' solid defense, which stayed back and held strong. Arteta seemed lost as he looked to the bench for solutions as the evening wore on.

It was probably Arsenal's worst game this season. They seemed unprepared. The team lacked speed, and Wolves easily cleared the ball.

Arteta didn't seem to fix anything. There were no changes after halftime, and the game remained slow. He needed to do something, but his subs only seemed to slow things down more.

Wolves haven't been great this season, but on Saturday, they played like a team, working together to stop Arsenal.

Arsenal tried their usual tactic: a corner. Bukayo Saka sent the ball into the box, and it went in unconventionally.

Saka's cross went over everyone, hit the inside of the post, bounced off Sam Johnstone's back, and went over the line.

It looked like Arsenal would pull out an ugly win, one that would keep them ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa.

But Wolves had other plans. They played better as Arsenal fell back. After a great pass into the box, Wolves tied the game, stunning the Emirates Stadium.

Still, Arsenal didn't give up. Saka sent in another ball, which hit Yerson Mosquera and went into his own net.

It was a tough loss for Wolves but a huge relief for Arsenal, who now have a five-point lead at the top of the league again.

ANALYSIS: ARSENAL ESCAPES WOLVES SCARE VIA TWO OWN-GOALS, WHITE INJURED

Arsenal's title bid gets a massive boost! They defeated Wolves 2-1 with two fortunate own-goals, moving five points clear at the top of the table.

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Own Goals Hand Arsenal Crucial Stoppage-Time Victory

Arsenal grabbed a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, thanks to two own goals (the winning goal in stoppage time). This win gives them a five-point lead in the Premier League.

After winning just one of their last three games, Arsenal risked dropping more points when Tolu Arokodare leveled the score for Wolves in the 90th minute. That goal canceled out an earlier own goal in the 70th minute, caused by Wolves' keeper Sam Johnstone.

But Arsenal caught a break. In the fourth minute of added time, Yerson Mosquera, pressured by Gabriel Jesus, headed Saka's cross into his own net, leaving Johnstone stunned.

Manchester City will try to cut Arsenal's lead to two points when they play Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Wolves remain at the bottom of the league, with only two points from 16 games after their ninth straight loss. They're close to matching Sheffield United's record of 17 winless games from the start of a Premier League season.

William Saliba returned for Arsenal after missing four games with an ankle injury. But Arsenal's defense still has problems, as Ben White suffered a hamstring injury.

With Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, and Riccardo Calafiori already out, White, who played for only 30 minutes, might be sidelined for a while.

Arsenal aimed to bounce back after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa last weekend. But they had trouble in the first half.

Wolves had the best chance to score in a dull first 45 minutes. Hwang Hee-Chan had space in the box. But his shot was easily saved by David Raya.

Arsenal had a few opportunities, but Johnstone didn't have to make any difficult saves. The fans weren't happy as the halftime whistle blew.

Surprisingly, Arteta didn't make any offensive changes at halftime. But around the 60-minute mark, he brought on Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino, replacing Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martín Zubimendi.

Hwang was lucky to avoid a red card for a bad tackle on Myles Lewis-Skelly, which made Arteta angry. The referee, Robert Jones, gave Hwang a yellow card, and VAR didn't take any further action.

In the 66th minute, Johnstone tipped Rice's free kick over the bar. Shortly after, he made a great save to prevent Rice's shot from going in.

But Johnstone then went from hero to zero.

He touched Saka's corner kick onto the post, and the ball bounced off him and into the goal.

Ødegaard's shot hit the side of the net, and Viktor Gyökeres shot wide. Soon after, Gyökeres was replaced by Jesus with 10 minutes remaining. Gyökeres hasn't scored in five games.

Arsenal seemed set to win 1-0. But substitute Arokodare headed in Mateus Mane's cross, tying the game.

But in the fourth of six added minutes, another own goal gave Arsenal the three points. It could be a huge win in their title chase.

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