Arsenal may have extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table, but Sunday’s 1–0 victory over Crystal Palace came at a cost, as three key players — William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Ricardo Calafiori — picked up knocks during the encounter.

The Gunners secured the win through Eberechi Eze’s acrobatic first-half volley, which proved enough to seal all three points and send Mikel Arteta’s men four points clear of second-placed Bournemouth.

However, the celebrations were dampened when Saliba failed to return after halftime, forcing Arteta to send on youngster Cristhian Mosquera. Later in the game, Declan Rice and Ricardo Calafiori were both withdrawn after struggling with injuries.

Speaking after the match, Arteta confirmed the setbacks, saying:

“The first one was William [Saliba]. He was out after the first half. Declan [Rice] was struggling from the first half with a knock that he took. Riccy [Calafiori] was another one. Let’s see how they recover.”

Opinion: A Pricey Win That Tests Arsenal’s Depth

While Arsenal fans will rejoice at another vital win and a four-point cushion at the top, the growing list of injuries could cast a shadow over their bright start to the season.

William Saliba has been a rock at the heart of Arsenal’s defence — calm, composed, and almost irreplaceable. His potential absence, coupled with Declan Rice’s knock, could unsettle the balance that has made Arteta’s team so solid. Calafiori, too, has impressed since joining, providing the kind of energy and intelligence Arsenal have lacked on the left flank.

It’s moments like this that truly test a team’s depth and mentality. Arsenal’s title ambitions will depend not only on their attacking flair but also on how well they cope when their core players are unavailable.

Still, there’s a silver lining: the Gunners didn’t just win — they won ugly, grinding out a result despite physical fatigue and injury setbacks. That’s the hallmark of potential champions.

If Arteta can nurse his stars back to fitness and keep the momentum going, Arsenal’s dreams of finally lifting the Premier League trophy might just stay alive — even if the road ahead looks a little rougher.