Mikel Arteta was keen to stress how ‘early’ it was in the season and brushed off claims that Arsenal had taken a giant step towards the title following his side’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Eberechi Eze came back to haunt his former team with the only goal of the game at the Emirates, which once again came from a trademark Arsenal set-piece.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Bukayo Saka both came close to doubling the hosts’ advantage in the second period, but Eze’s stunning 39th-minute strike ultimately proved the difference.

Possible injuries to William Saliba, Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli put a slight dampener on an otherwise productive weekend for the Gunners, in which Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all suffered defeats.

The result means the north Londoners now hold a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after nine matches. Arteta’s men will look to tighten their grip on top spot when they return to action away to struggling Burnley in a week’s time.

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