Eberechi Eze said Arsenal are in “a race to the finish line” after his goal sealed a 1-0 win over Newcastle.
Eberechi Eze says Arsenal know they will need to keep winning after his goal secured a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United and sent Mikel Arteta’s side back to the top of the Premier League.
The England international settled a tense game at the Emirates Stadium with a superb first-half strike from the edge of the box. Arsenal had gone into the fixture needing a response after defeat to Manchester City, and Eze’s goal ensured they recovered immediately with four league matches remaining.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, Eze said Arsenal were clear about the importance of the result.
“We wanted to bounce back,” he said. “It’s a race to the finish line now. So, we’re going to need three points every single game. And that’s the level that we’ve set ourselves.”
Eze’s goal came from a well-worked short-corner routine, with Arsenal again finding a way to create danger from a set-piece. He explained that the aim was to exploit how Newcastle defended those situations.
“Whenever we play short, we were looking for an advantage,” Eze said. “Each team sets up different to defend it.”
The finish itself was emphatic, with Eze taking the ball on the edge of the area before driving into the top corner. Asked about staying composed in that position, he said it came down to making the right adjustment in the moment.
“I just knew that if the ball came to me at that pace then I knew I could shoot,” he said. “I’m calm enough to take it.”
The pressure around Arsenal’s title challenge has increased in recent weeks, but Eze rejected the idea that it should be viewed negatively. He said the standards within the squad are already high and described the situation as one the players should embrace.
“I feel like the pressure that we put on ourselves is so much more than what’s coming from outside,” he said. “It’s the necessary pressure to win.”
Eze also described Arsenal’s position as “a beautiful position”, pointing to the chance to achieve something significant with the club. That outlook matched the tone of a player who delivered the decisive moment on a difficult afternoon.
There was also a fitness concern, with Eze coming off in the second half after appearing to pick up an issue. He played down the worry after the match, saying he was “all good” and explaining that his substitution was “just precaution.”
Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, but Eze’s message after Newcastle was firmly tied to the league. The title race remains tight, and the requirement is clear. Arsenal need wins, and this one ensured they stayed on course.