ARSENAL'
Forget Saka: ‘Monumental’ Arsenal Man Improves ‘Every Premier League Team’ After Palace Win
Arsenal have gone four points clear at the top of the Premier League table following their 1-0 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday. And Mikel Arteta’s side are benefitting from the performances of one individual in particular as they continue their title charge.
The London rivalry provided a stern test for the Gunners, with Oliver Glasner’s men making a stellar start to the 2025/26 season. But Arsenal continued to combine defensive solidity with attacking threat, as former Eagle Eberechi Eze lashed a loose ball home to score his first goal for the north Londoners since his £68m move from Selhurst Park.
Arsenal continued to push for a second goal, hitting the woodwork after half-time, all while locking their opponents out. It’s a combination of ruthlessness in front of goal and stubborn defence that has seen them become favourites for Premier League silverware this term, with rivals Liverpool and Manchester City dropping points early on.
Declan Rice Excellent Against Crystal Palace
Premier League – Arsenal v Crystal Palace – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – October 26, 2025 Arsenal’s Declan Rice in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
One man who has played a part in Arsenal’s attacking and defensive setup has been Declan Rice. The England international has become the complete midfield package since arriving at the Emirates from West Ham United, with Arteta giving him the licence to get forward and create rather than simply sit in front of the defence and act as a shield.
That freedom has been expanded further following the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Rice has a goal and two assists in the league after nine matches so far, but it’s his all-round play that has impressed viewers so much. His range of passing is superb and his set-piece delivery makes him a huge threat from multiple areas on the pitch.
And the 26-year-old was up to his usual tricks against Palace. While he did not add to his goal or assist tally against the Eagles, he might well have done had Arsenal possessed more cutting edge. Rice played three key passes and racked up an expected assist total of 0.61, with him at his creative best. And it was his set-piece delivery which led to Eze’s all-important goal.
Check out Rice’s statistics against Crystal Palace below:
Declan Rice in Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Touches
72
Expected Goals
0.37
Expected Assists
0.61
Key Passes
3
Passing Accuracy
73%
Crosses (Accurate)
6 (2)
Tackles (won)
3 (2)
Interceptions
2
Clearances
1
It’s hard to deny that he is one of the best midfielders in the world at this point, and many Arsenal fans took to social media during the game express how delighted they were with his performance. One said, “Declan Rice has been monumental today,” a sentiment that was echoed by another fan, who wrote, “Declan Rice is soo good to watch.”
Others chose to highlight his consistent threat from set pieces, which has helped give the Gunners an extra edge in attack. “Nicolas Jover is an excellent set piece coach, no doubt,” one fan stated. “That said, every single Premier League team would score more goals if they had Declan Rice’s quality of delivery.” Someone else said, “We need to have a discussion on Declan Rice and his deliveries because not even David Beckham was this consistent.”
The only downside to Rice’s Sunday was his early withdrawal from the game, as he trudged off the pitch after seemingly picking up a knock. Arsenal fans will hope that Arteta’s substitution was only precautionary and that he’ll be fit enough to feature in their upcoming games against Brighton and Burnley next week.
Arsenal extended their lead over Premier League title rivals Manchester City to seven points after a narrow 1-0 win against Brighton, with Bukayo Saka’s ninth goal of the season proving decisive.
Mikel Arteta’s side claimed another hard-fought three points despite creating no big chances and registering just seven shots on goal, only two of which tested goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
While Arsenal’s defence once again drew praise for a resilient display, with Cristhian Mosquera impressing in the absence of the injured William Saliba, the Gunners’ midfield showed little spark.
Martin Zubimendi’s display was a particular concern among supporters, who appeared far from pleased with the Spaniard’s struggles at the Amex on Wednesday night.
Arsenal Fans Tear Into ‘Ghost’ Martin Zubimendi

Zubimendi was the subject of heavy criticism from Arsenal supporters for Thursday’s display, with some even labelling the Spaniard a ‘ghost’ following his uninspiring performance.
One fan said: “Zubimendi is basically a ghost in these games man, this guy offers absolutely nothing defensively.”
Another added: “Zubimendi shouldn’t be a guaranteed starter next season.”
A third commented: “Zubimendi really struggling with the pressing intensity in this league. Takes forever to let a pass go and gets dispossessed as a result.”
Another suggested: “Zubimendi has been shocking for 3 months, Rice clearly injured. Play Prem-proven Christian Norgaard who’s been excellent every time he’s played for us? No hermano.”
One supporter questioned: “What has Zubimendi done to Arteta to not take him off?”
Another observed: “Zubimendi is nowhere to be seen in this game and Eze.”
A fan concluded: “Zubimendi is actually a disgrace. He’s hiding from the pocket of space when we have a clear superiority in our own third.”
Zubimendi has been instrumental for Arteta ever since his summer arrival from Real Sociedad, missing the starting line-up just once in 30 Premier League games this season.
No Arsenal player has logged more minutes across all competitions than the Spaniard, who has also contributed nine goal involvements in 2025/26.
Arsenal Extend Lead Over Man City

Wednesday’s Premier League action saw Arsenal extend their advantage over main title rivals Manchester City, who dropped points at home in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand, they now trail the Gunners by seven points after failing to turn their dominance into three points against Forest.
Arsenal return to Premier League action in 10 days, when they host Everton at the Emirates, while Man City visit West Ham, also on March 14.
The Gunners face Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, before travelling to Bayer Leverkusen for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
ARSENAL'
He’s been linked with a move to the Gunners, but was also spotted talking to Pep Guardiola after full-time
Newcastle Have Obvious Sandro Tonali Problem After 5-1 Man City Thrash
Arsenal fans are making the same point about Sandro Tonali after Manchester City’s 5-1 rout of Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. The midfielder looks to have outgrown his current surroundings as the Eddie Howe project stalls, with it seeming increasingly likely he could be on the move sooner rather than later.
Wednesday night’s contest was effectively over before it had really begun. Omar Marmoush struck in the seventh minute and added a second before the half-hour mark, while Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 on the night before the break. Anthony Elanga’s consolation goal just after half-time did little more than momentarily distract from the fact the Magpies have slipped into a rut this season.
Sitting 11th in the Premier League after winning the League Cup last season – their first major honour since 1955 – points to a clear lack of progress under Eddie Howe. Add to that just one win in their last seven matches, plus a gruelling run of four straight away games following this weekend’s visit from Brentford, and it’s no surprise supporters are feeling uneasy under an ownership that has the money to aim for much higher.
Sandro Tonali Transfer Interest Hots Up After Man City Rout

The former Gunners’ target was seen deep in conversation with Pep Guardiola (watch the incident below) following a dispiriting performance from his teammates. But those of an Emirates Stadium persuasion are keen for the club to reignite their interest in the Italian midfielder and try beat their title rivals to his signature.
“No wonder Tonali was begging his agent to get him a move to Arsenal. They are absolute trash,” one X user remarked, as another continued: “No serious player is going to Newcastle again. Tonali welcome to Arsenal.” Elsewhere, a third added: “Newcastle squad getting ripped apart this summer. Welcome to the Arsenal, Tonali…”
Man City Want Him: Newcastle Star Spotted in ‘Deep Conversation’ With Pep Guardiola
“Don’t worry, your star players will leave this summer, and we’re taking Tonali,” another Gunners’ supporter warned, as a fifth concluded: “I can see why Tonali wants to join Arsenal. Newcastle are s***.”
How Tonali Performed Amidst The Chaos
With Mikel Arteta already stacked in midfield, with the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and club captain Martin Odegaard looking irreplaceable, the Spanish boss’ insatiable desire for better means he will likely find it difficult to ignore just how calm Tonali looked in an otherwise messy performance from Newcastle in midweek.
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In his 90-minute display, the 25-year-old completed 93 per cent of his passes, created a big chance, and managed to get a shot on target. In defence, he won both of his two tackle attempts, won four of his eight ground duels, and made seven recoveries. It’s the kind of performance that would have any manager’s attention, and could see him get his move elsewhere in the summer.
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Commentary by Oliver Yew and Nick Wright at the Emirates
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