Mikel Arteta hailed Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace as the most valuable of the season after seeing his side open up a four-point lead at the Premier League’s summit.

In what was a nervous Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, Eberechi Eze’s first-half volley against his former club proved to be the winner. With Liverpool slipping to a fourth straight league defeat at Brentford on Saturday, Arsenal finished the weekend seven points clear of the defending champions.

“I told the boys that I value more this victory than any other victory this season,” Arteta said. “We knew the difficulty of it after playing every three days. It was a big opportunity as well, with the things that happened during the weekend.

“But I knew we were playing against a team who have, in my opinion, been one of the best in terms of organisation and how frustrated they can make you. The moment you lose concentration they will punish you.”

Manchester City, after a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa on Sunday, find themselves six points behind Arsenal. Arteta was keen, however, to pour cold water on any title talk. “We are where we are,” he said. “It’s a...