Eberechi Eze delivers the winner at his old club and sets a new milestone for Arsenal in the Premier League. Eberechi Eze Arsenal record goal. Arsenal stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points after Eberechi Eze’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over his former side, Crystal Palace. On Sunday afternoon, Eze found the net in the 39th minute and ensured Arsenal extended their fine start to the season. Eze, who had spent several seasons with Crystal Palace before moving north, faced familiar opponents and made his mark with a composed finish from a set-piece. His decisive strike arrived from a headed assist from Gabriel Magalhães off Declan Rice’s free-kick delivery.
Arsenal held on to their lead and strengthened their position at the summit of the table. Beyond the result, the match marked a milestone. Eze etched his name into the club’s history by becoming the first Englishman since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in January 2012 to score or assist on his full Premier League debut start for Arsenal. From the kickoff, Arsenal looked determined. They pressed, moved the ball quickly, and probed the Palace defence. Crystal Palace, disciplined and organised, nullified many of Arsenal’s early chances. But the breakthrough came from a moment of quality. A free-kick into the box by Rice found Magalhães, whose header dropped kindly for Eze. The midfielder took a touch, steadied himself, and placed the ball into the net. Celebration was muted Eze respected his former club and simply raised a finger to his lips.
Arsenal’s clean sheet added to their tally of dominant performances this season. Their defence has been solid, their set-piece routines effective, and their midfield dynamic ever since the summer shifts. With this win, they now lead the table with a four-point cushion over second place. Meanwhile, their rivals stumbled: Manchester City lost 1-0 away at Aston Villa, further opening the gap. Eze’s journey to this stage adds extra weight to the moment. He arrived at Arsenal in August in a major transfer from Crystal Palace a move that underlines both his talent and the expectations placed on him. At Arsenal, he wears the number 10 shirt a number loaded with history at the club.
He had previously come through youth ranks, was released, worked his way up through other clubs, and now returns to make his mark. His debut performances have already set a high bar. On 13 September, against Nottingham Forest, he recorded an assist on his first chance created for Arsenal and thereby became the first Englishman in over a decade at Arsenal to score or assist on a first full Premier League start. The context of this match added significance. Facing his former club meant every challenge had emotional weight. Crystal Palace know Eze well —his strengths, his runs, his vision. Yet by breaking through, he reminded them and the rest of the league of his quality and his ambition.
For Arsenal, the moment shifted the title race. The four-point gap now gives them breathing room and sends a message to rivals: they mean business. In the dressing room afterwards, there was a sense of calm confidence rather than celebration. Arsenal know that football seasons are marathons, and they remain focused on consistency. Eze’s goal provided a spark. But coach Mikel Arteta will insist that the broader performance, the collective discipline and the defensive solidity will determine the season’s outcome. For Crystal Palace, frustration will set in. They defended well, they fought hard, yet one moment was enough to tip the game. Now they must regroup, refocus and restore form.
Their goal count remains modest, and their league position threatened to slip if quick improvement does not follow.Back at Emirates, the supporters left the stadium with a satisfied hum. Eze’s strike will feature on the highlight reel. The number 10 shirt that once lay dormant now has a new hero. The record he broke marks a new chapter for Arsenal’s English talent at the club. The four-point lead provides momentum. And the statement has been sent: Arsenal are not just contenders they are challengers with firepower and finesse.
As the season progresses, all eyes will track whether Eze continues to unlock defences, whether Arsenal can maintain their form, and whether the gap at the top will grow or narrow. For now though, Sunday’s hero belongs to Eberechi Eze back at the top, rewriting the story and lifting his club further toward their goal.
