Arsenal v Crystal Palace live: Eze the matchwinner against old club as Gunners extend Premier League lead

Now for Mikel Arteta, who says: “I’m really happy because we knew the difficulty of the match. It was a crucial win against a good side. Today we were clinical and defensively excellent. No one really generates big chances against them with the way they set up.

“They [the players] earned it. The way they compete and play, the way they want to win, it's amazing. The five [substitutes] that came on today made a big difference again. You see the other results in the Premier League... you have to be so good to win.”

He adds that Saliba and Rice “felt some pain”, but does not specify what. Saliba came off at half-time.

Palace defender Chris Richards also tries to see the positives as he chats to Sky Sports: “It was a close game in all aspects. Arsenal are a really good team and deserved the win. I think everybody knows how Arsenal are defensively and we needed to take our chances.

“Set-pieces are probably their forte right now, but we went toe-to-toe with the best team in the league.

“We are still positive. We take today on the chin and we keep trying to improve.”

Oliver Glasner tells Sky Sports: “It’s a mixture of frustration about the result and being proud of the performance, especially in first half. You cannot give Arsenal anything.

“It's a silly foul and we gave them the second shot with Ebs [Eberechi Eze], and we know he has a good shot.

“We tried everything. It shows our progress when we are upset with losing 1-0 here. We are still missing a little bit. Mikel Arteta is doing such a great job. It's about us being a bit better in every single phase. When you get two or three chances, you need to score.”

Here’s Trossard, speaking to Sky Sports: “We’re really pleased with the win and another clean sheet. We need to keep going. Lately it has been like that, we have to keep patience throughout the game because we know we can score anytime. It would have been nice if we had put the game to bed.

“We are excited as well. When we get a set-piece we know we can score.

“It’s hard to put a finger on it [why we are doing particularly well this season] but every season we learn more and more. We just want to win, we want to win every game.”

Arsenal now lead Bournemouth by four points at the top of the table, with the Cherries replacing Sunderland in second after beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 today.

Sunderland drop to third, with City down in fourth, six points off the Gunners.

In even better news for Arsenal, Manchester City have lost 1-0 to Aston Villa, so both their likely title rivals - City and Liverpool - have dropped significant points this weekend.

90+7 mins: Raya takes an age to take the kick, and that’s the full-time whistle.

Fist pumps from Arteta. Three points for Arsenal, who extend their lead at the top of the table.

90+7 mins: Henderson is up for Palace, last chance saloon... he hoofs it forward but Arsenal clear it back to the keeper.

One more minute, the ref signals, to loud booing... Is a free-kick being awarded? Palace boot it away and look resigned to their fate.

90+5 mins: Martinelli is through on goal but takes a heavy touch and Henderson slides in gratefully to stop him.

Mosquera very angrily claims a free-kick, no dice.