Paul Merson has expressed his admiration for Eberechi Eze and revealed that he would like to see the forward start in Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League clash against Newcastle United. However, he also admitted that he expects Gabriel Martinelli to be the player chosen instead.
Eze has impressed since he arrived at the Emirates, quickly adapting to his new surroundings and making an impact by scoring his first goal for the Gunners in the match against Port Vale. His creativity and attacking flair have added a new dimension to Mikel Arteta’s side. Yet Arsenal boast considerable depth in their squad, and Martinelli, who has often been used from the bench, has also shown excellent form and consistent influence when called upon.
Merson’s preferred attacking line
The competition for places has created a welcome selection dilemma for Arteta as he looks to balance rotation with the need to secure results. According to Sportskeeda, Merson shared his thoughts on who he would select if given the choice. He explained, “I’d play Bukayo Saka, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres as the front-three here but I don’t think Arteta will do that if I’m being honest. I have a feeling Gabriel Martinelli will start instead of Eze. He’s a disciplined player and can be useful with his pace. But Eze is the X-factor, he can unlock defences like he showed it against Manchester City.”
Merson’s remarks highlight the contrasting attributes of the two players. Martinelli brings energy, discipline and speed, while Eze offers unpredictability and vision, qualities that can change a game with a single moment of brilliance.
Arsenal’s attacking depth tested
The availability of Martin Ødegaard further complicates the decision, as his return strengthens Arsenal’s creative options but reduces the likelihood of both Eze and Martinelli starting together. This is precisely the kind of selection challenge managers welcome, as it ensures competition remains high within the squad and provides tactical flexibility across different fixtures.
Regardless of who takes to the pitch against Newcastle, the importance of delivering a strong performance will be paramount. With Arsenal aiming to maintain their momentum in the league, both Eze and Martinelli are expected to play vital roles over the course of the campaign, even if only one of them features from the start this weekend.
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Of course he will.
He cannot have Arsenal trying to win the game when his philosophy is not to lose.
Pass sidewards, pass backwards and pass to the keeper.
Anti-football at its finest.
Merson has also said that psychologically Liverpool can wrap up the league if Arsenal lose to Newcastle and Liverpool beat Palace.
I think that is a very real possibility with the way he set’s out his team.
Would there be a fallout here if that happened? Most see the world through Arteta tinted glasses…
Merson’s front three is about right, but if Eze plays, it will be in central midfield where he’s shown his best work so far. This is likely to be a physical game, so Merino may get to start again at Eze’s expense.
Heaven forbid he gets left attacking midfield. That would just not do😱
Jax 🤣
Gyokeres
Martinelli – Odegaard/Eze – Saka
Rice – Zubi
Calafiori – Gabriel – Saliba – Timber
Raya
If Arteta starts the same midfield he did against Bilbao and City, I will literally throw my beer at the television!
Merson also said that if we lose to Newcastle, and LP beat Palace, the title race is completely over for us. Can’t really disagree, unless LP go through an big injury crisis.
Kiaran Thomas Pons,
Don’t throw a beer over your telly, It’s bad for the Electrics and all that. Health and safety.😂🤣
With statements like that, Merson needs the beer more than your telly.
When the season starts with Arsenal buying important players, I was too much hopeful that this is definitely our season to win not only EPL title but other trophies as well. Just after 5 matches into the season I doubted myself and started getting deflated due to the negativity surrounding Arteta’s philosophy and unstoppable injuries. If I’ve to be honest we’ll not get all the 3 points from the Newcastle match. Maximum we get is draw as Arteta sees it as an improvement on last season’s results. Unfortunately Joelinton and Bruno are on fire again as our match approaches.
It’s unfortunate that LP has been able to win their first five but after 5 matches I’m not even close to being ready to throw in the towel for doing better the rest of the season or potentially winning any of the trophies.
BB this is the situation our Paul Merson is facing not only the ordinary me. We had seen the runaway Pool last season. We’ve no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again if gap continues to extends from week to week. Ambitions then may shift from winning the title to finishing in UCL spots, focusing rather on UCL dreams and lesser domestic cups. Please Arteta prove us wrong by beating Newcastle now. Next week no much worry it’s West Ham.
Gyokeres.
Eze. Nwaneri. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
Arteta –
Gyokeres.
Martinelli. Merino. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
I hope he starts Eze in midfield and Martinelli on the left; that was the rare bit of creativity we have seen so far.
I fear he starts Merino again in midfield, and the 1 win in 11 games does not bode well for the setup. If we come out and start conservative again and expect late sub magic, not sure we can get 3 points.
To be honest, I am just as excited to see his lineup and tactics/philosophy as I am the actual game itself.
To be fair, it is not a title deciding game, but it certainly is a statement type of game. Regardless, I feel that we have to make a statement this game; creativity, intensity, scoring, an important game for new players and the manager himself.
Another Liverpool/Utd/City type setup and conservative play would be concerning, considering the talented options for selection.
👍Durand
Durand,
Regarding your use of the words, statement game.
Didn’t we think that about the Liverpool and City games to. 🤷♂️🤦♂️
Just take the shackles off forgiveness sake, let them have a go instead of sideways backwards twenty passes in our own half. More worried of not losing than winning against the top teams.
I strongly believe Eze will start in the number 10 position while Ode starts on the bench. My expected lineup
Raya
Calafiori
Big Gabby
Saliba
Timber
Zubimendi
Rice
Eze
Saka
Gyokeres
Martinelle
We must deploy a tactics were by Gyokeres will score goals for the team. The guy is a goal machine by the way we play ,we don’t support him with croses. Plz play Eze in a no.10 roll
In my opinion, there is nothing that justifies Ødergaard to start rather than Eze. Eze has made goals and assists in the few appearances he has made for Arsenal. I’m not convinced that Ødegaard can do better, so Eze has to play and Ødegaard on the bench for the time being. Maybe they can rotate during the game.
Martinelli and Trossard can rotate on the left wing.
This will most likely be quite a physical game, which wouldn’t suit Ødegaard in his delicate condition, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Merino start again with Eze being played out of position wide left or held back for a later introduction.
People always say is preseason,but for me that is where I always know where I know if arsenal will do well or not,talking about arsenal,the moment the allow Partey to go,is the moment arsenal lost the crown,if you’ll can remember it took us so much time to find balance in that midfield, Partey was the gum btw midfield and defence and attack,we don’t have balance in the midfield and that is the reason rice is not playing,like he used to,I really don’t understand what Merino brings to this team,how can a manager have eze,nwaneri and he continue playing someone that have never played 10 in his life,the position he was brought to play,which 8 he doesn’t even perform there,all our coach thinks about is just to put physical and tall players for corner,is that what we’re now?, Zubimendi is not the type of DM you want in epl, going front he is good,which most of arsenal players are,is about breaking opposition attack which is what Partey is very great at, Zubimendi cost us against Liverpool and man city,that’s the reason Arteta asked rice to play slightly deeper and now rice doesn’t go forward and have that scream shots that he used to,you know Ferguson said if you buy more than two players a season,it will disrupt your team,I think we’re good last season,with the injuries we had,we still come 2nd,why don’t you keep your last season first team and continue with them, because as far as am concern those players arsenal got are supposed to be coming on from bench or when their is injury because the more of them you put in your team,the more disrupt the team become,no hope for us Arteta have turned into full pragmatic coach.