Arsenal's remarkable mentality their biggest strength in Premier League title charge

Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace underlines their defensive dominance and title momentum; bettors might favour Arsenal to win with a clean sheet or back under 2.5 total goals in upcoming matches, given their set-piece threat and ability to grind out results even when chances are scarce.

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace — Gunners grind out vital win to extend lead

Arsenal scraped past Crystal Palace 1-0 as a set-piece proved decisive and the Gunners’ defence again delivered a resolute performance. The victory extends Arsenal’s lead at the top and reinforced the impression that their title bid is powered as much by defensive steel as by attacking moments of quality.

Decisive moment: Eze’s spectacular finish

The only goal arrived from a dead-ball situation when Declan Rice floated a delivery into the box, Gabriel’s header was redirected across goal and Eberechi Eze — a former Palace favourite — met the ball with a stunning scissor kick to settle a scrappy contest. Eze was applauded off by away supporters after being substituted, a classy moment amid the tension.

Defensive backbone and squad depth

Arsenal’s back line stood firm despite injury disruptions: William Saliba left at half-time, Riccardo Calafiori was forced off, and Declan Rice later hobbled out, yet replacements steadied the ship. The Gunners have conceded just three goals all season and recorded 10 clean sheets in 13 matches across all competitions, underlining how defence has become their unwritten slogan.

Chances came and went

Arsenal had chances to make the game safe. Gabriel hit the crossbar from a Rice cross early in the second half, and Rice nearly bundled in the rebound before Palace keeper Dean Henderson produced a brilliant reflex stop on the line. Leandro Trossard came close to creating another opening for Bukayo Saka, but clear-cut opportunities were rare on a day dominated by midfield scrapping and tactical caution.

Individuals and work-rate

Viktor Gyokeres epitomised Arsenal’s collective effort; the £64m striker worked tirelessly, holding up play and pressing adamantly despite failing to find the net. Gabriel was again prominent at the back, and the team showed the kind of mental resilience managers crave in title races.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace LIVE: Premier League latest score and confirmed lineups

Title implications and what it means for betting

Arsenal now sit four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth, six ahead of Manchester City and seven in front of Liverpool. Their defensive consistency and habit of grinding out 1-0 wins make them attractive to punters backing narrow victories, clean sheets or low-scoring markets. Expect Arsenal to be favoured in upcoming fixtures, especially against sides that struggle to convert possession into chances.

Match overview

Scoreline: Arsenal 1–0 Crystal Palace Key goal: Eberechi Eze (set-piece finish) Notable absentees/injuries: William Saliba off at half-time, Riccardo Calafiori injured, Declan Rice substituted due to a hobble Clean sheets this season (across competitions): 10 in 13 matches

Bottom line

A gritty, low-key win that underlines Arsenal’s title credentials. When the team can rely on set-pieces and an organised defence to eke out victories, they become a tough proposition for any rival.

ARSENAL 1-0 CRYSTAL PALACE: Gunners continue their march towards a first Premier League title since 2004 with a gutsy win - and another clean sheet - over the Eagles

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