Arteta Plays Down Title Talk as Arsenal Pull Four Points Clear at the Top

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged calm despite his side opening up a four-point gap at the top of the Premier League table following their hard-fought 1–0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Gunners took advantage of a dramatic weekend that saw several of their title rivals falter. Eberechi Eze marked a special moment by scoring his first Premier League goal for Arsenal against his former club, sealing the victory that sent the Emirates into raptures.

Elsewhere, Manchester City suffered a 1–0 defeat at Aston Villa, while Liverpool were stunned 3–2 by Brentford. Chelsea’s struggles continued with a surprise home loss to Sunderland.

The combination of results means Arsenal now sit four points clear of Bournemouth, six ahead of City, and seven above Liverpool, putting them in firm control of the title race — at least for now.

Yet, Arteta was quick to cool any premature excitement.

“I think it was a really positive weekend for us, especially because we did what we had to do,” the Spaniard told reporters. “It shows the difficulty of the league and how complicated it is to win these games. But it’s still too early to say we are pulling away.”

Opinion: Arsenal’s Calm Amid Chaos Could Be Their Greatest Strength

If there’s one thing that separates title challengers from champions, it’s how they react when chaos surrounds them. This weekend was a whirlwind — City stumbled, Liverpool slipped, Chelsea crumbled — but Arsenal stayed steady.

Arteta’s men may not have blown Palace away, but championship-winning sides often thrive on efficiency rather than spectacle. Eberechi Eze’s goal symbolized a maturity Arsenal fans have long craved — a moment of quality in a game that demanded composure, not chaos.

What’s most impressive, though, is Arteta’s measured approach. In a league that thrives on hype and headlines, his refusal to get carried away sends a powerful message: Arsenal are here for the long game.

The Gunners might not say it aloud, but make no mistake — they’re beginning to look like a team built for the marathon, not the sprint. If they keep their cool while others lose theirs, this could be the season Arsenal finally turn promise into silverware.