Last season, when Eberechi Eze arrived at Arsenal from Crystal Palace, he was initially used in the same position where he had thrived at his previous club.
However, the Englishman struggled and was eventually moved into midfield, where he excelled as a number 10. He played many games in that role as Martin Odegaard dealt with different injuries, allowing Eze to establish himself as an effective attacking midfielder for the Gunners.
Eze enjoys playing there more than any other position at Arsenal and has delivered fine performances for the Gunners. However, his role could change this season now that Odegaard is back, fitter than ever, and Arsenal did not add another natural option in attack during the summer.
Eze faces a different role
The Gunners had the chance to sign another player for the position after Christos Tzolis arrived at the club, particularly as they wanted to sell Gabriel Martinelli. However, Arsenal did not sign a replacement for the Brazilian, leaving Eze as one of the players who can provide additional cover.
According to Football Insider, Eze is now set to play there and will be the primary alternative to Tzolis. His versatility gives Arsenal another solution while also allowing Mikel Arteta to use his squad according to the demands of each match.
The change could mean Eze sees fewer opportunities in his preferred role, especially with Odegaard available again. Nevertheless, his previous performances have shown that he can adapt and remain useful to the Gunners.
Tzolis makes strong start
Tzolis has made a brilliant start to life as an Arsenal player and has impressed since arriving at the club. His early performances could make him the preferred option, while Eze provides experienced cover when required.
The Greek star has done well, and if he continues to impress in matches, Arsenal can be confident that they have a reliable option available. That would also allow Eze to concentrate on contributing wherever he is needed.
For Eze, the situation represents a different challenge from last season. He proved his quality in midfield, but his ability to operate elsewhere could now become equally important as Arsenal manage their attacking options.
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Eze was in midfield for CP and most effective as a left 8 typically playing behind and to the left of Mateta. He could be mildly effective playing a winger role but never possessed the speed required to be outstanding there. I don’t know where this whole idea of him making his name as a winger at CP ever got started. His most effective work comes from the left channel not the touchline.
More like a left forward than a left 8 for Palace. And Arteta’s LW’s typically don’t play on the touch line. Trossard many times inverted into midfield,mirroring what Odegaard did on the opposite flank,which is not that very different from what Eze did at Palace.
Eze can definitely play there and be effective with the ball. The only question marks are whether he can be effective without the ball. Can he track back and defend? He also tends to lose the ball cheaply sometimes.
Yes, I’ve noted that Eze is playing way too deep for whatever reason and isn’t integrating into the offense well enough to get forward where he has been deadly in the past. It may be simply not having that big presence of Mateta in the middle. Typically Tyrick Mitchell would provide width in a 3421 formation.
Reflecting back on Villa second half, I don’t think Eze came on as like for like replacement for Tzolis. It looked to me it wasn’t orthodox left forward or byline winger or one on one against fullback they gave Eze at Villa. They placed Eze inverted, rather than starting wide, so the fall back – what some are calling Ricky in wing back mode – could attack space with and without ball. And more importantly, more easily double up with Eze on the fall back.
To be fair to Tzolis, one on one we have often see Matty cash win his duels against more experienced Prem opponents. What Arsenal done that changed the game, perhaps won the game, was a tactical tweak. Suddenly being double teamed by two players not just one opponent, Cash lost his license to go forward and attack. Villa’s best moment had been a cross from the right, second half they just had long ball into channel for forward to chase. And being double teamed, Cash was now under pressure defensively. First Eze then Ricky teamed up in the move setting up the goal.
It wasn’t a left field (if you allow me clever pun) tweak, just another variant of chess game football, of pressuring the middle of the board to see what gives.
For me Eze is a far better player when given a role further up rather than deeper. His passing strength is bravery of the killer balls he attempts. the Hail Mary to Martinelli against City did come from deeper, but its example of how he thinks like that – he’s a creative, so get him on and play him in area’s of the pitch where his creative moments can change games. For all the things he’s not strong in – Eze is not press and tackle, though he uses pace to chase back and harress – we have a gem of a creative out the box thinker – that ironically you use against your opponents box.
So where some people feel we are weaker attacking this season with Jesus gone, Havertz and Gyokeres are first choice up top, and for most fans, if those two unavailable then Merino is number 9. For me there is a fourth option, far better than Merino at 9. Eze as False Nine.
Think about it. Eze as False 9 is Eze in exactly the area of the pitch where you want Eze doing the Eze thing. That thing being out the box creative with both passing and ball carrying.
Alternatively, rather than asking to do “Ode” half right 8 half 10 hybrid, when Ode is not playing, tweak it so Eze plays support striker in those in for Ode games. Like False 9, Support Striker is placed in that part of pitch best for him.
You can call me crazy, but sooner both Gyokeres and Havertz are unavailable, Eze at False 9 gives us an even more dangerous attack.
Selling Trossard and Martineli at the same time was always not a very good call. I hope we don’t pay a stip price for that 5his season.