Arsenal’s x/10 star is becoming Arteta’s most important player

With Arsenal’s fourth successive Premier League win yesterday, the Gunners finally took a big step towards ending their drought of winning the league title.

Mikel Arteta’s side won a hard-fought 1-0 win against Crystal Palace at the Emirates, giving them a four-point lead at the top of the table.

It was far from a vintage game for the Spaniards, but the manager will be delighted that his side overcame adversity to pick up three more important points.

The likes of Bukayo Saka and Victor Gökeres had a quiet afternoon in north London, failing to improve on their results for the 2025/26 campaign.

However, one player managed to get to the plate and make a difference, then made a key contribution yesterday afternoon.

Eberechi Eze’s performance against Crystal Palace

Back in the summer transfer window, Arsenal paid the equivalent of £67.5m for Eberechi Eze, looking to strengthen their depth and quality in the final third.

Since joining from Crystal Palace, the England international has only scored one goal, against Port Vale in League One in the Carabao Cup.

Ahead of the encounter, there was a sense that it was inevitable that he would score against his former employers, and he did so minutes before half-time with a deflected ball.

In addition to scoring his first Premier League goal, Eze also impressed with his creativity, going on to make seven passes into the final third, creating two chances in the process.

The 27-year-old also won five of the seven duels he took part in, while also completing 100% of the duels he took part in, producing a truly impressive all-round show in North London.

However, despite Eze’s performance, another Gunner was able to impress in the win, and the regular starter has now become one of the manager’s most important players.

Arsenal star on track to become one of Arteta’s most important players

Gabriel has been one of Arsenal’s star players in recent years and his performances for both sides have had a huge impact on the club’s ability to challenge for the title.

The Brazilian’s performance against Palace yesterday was a further example of his quality as he came dangerously close to scoring his third goal of the season when the centre-back hit the wooden frame.

When not in possession, he led the Gunners to their sixth Premier League clean sheet of the season after making six clearances and winning 100% of the ground battles he participated in.

But the 27-year-old is not the only key player for Arteta, with midfielder Declan Rice putting in an incredible performance against Palace yesterday afternoon.

High expectations were placed on the English player following his £105 million move from West Ham United, and it is no exaggeration to say that he has far exceeded the expectations of his supporters.

He has started all but one league game this season, and his performance against the Eagles was one of his most memorable in recent months.

Rice created three chances and made two tackles during the win, both of which were the highest scores of any player on the pitch throughout the entire 90 minutes.

Figures such as 38 completed passes (12 of them in the final third) demonstrate his incredible composure on the ball, which dictates play in the center of the team.

But the Englishman was just as impressive when not in possession, making two interceptions and winning 100% of his aerial duels against Oliver Glasner’s men.

In addition to his excellent performance, Rice was given an excellent match rating of 8/10 by Tom Parsons of The Express, capping off a phenomenal afternoon at the Emirates.

After such performances, there is little debate that the Englishman is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet of a club aiming for another Premier League title.

If he can continue to perform alongside Gabriel and Eze, there is no reason why Arteta’s men can’t go all the way and end the generation’s wait for a top division title.