Eberechi Eze on the left wing may be worth revisiting, and that much was clear from the Arsenal No.10’s latest cameo for England.
Back at Crystal Palace, Eze thrived as a left sided No.10, drifting in from the flank with devastating effect. When Arsenal signed him, the initial plan was for him to plug the quality gap on the left wing, a position that had long needed a spark. Yet the summer signing did not quite dazzle in that role early on. He was shifted centrally, and with Martin Odegaard sidelined through injury, Eze has taken on the burden of being Arsenal’s chief creator in the middle of the pitch.
By the lofty standards he is held to, some feel he has not been as influential in that central role as expected. When Odegaard returns, Mikel Arteta may need to revisit the original blueprint, deploying Eze off the left again.
England cameo reignites the debate
If Eze needed a reminder that he can thrive out wide, his performance against Serbia offered it in full. Featuring on the left as England cruised to a 2 to 0 win, the twenty seven year old delivered a sparkling display. He ran at defenders with intent, dribbled past challenges, cut inside to shoot, linked play with sharp one touch passing, and carried the ball with confidence. He also scored England’s second goal after Bukayo Saka opened the scoring.
Importantly, he impressed with his pressing and defensive work, traits that will no doubt please Arteta. It was a cameo that showed exactly why the left sided role remains such a natural fit for him.
Could Eze elevate Arsenal’s left flank?
Leandro Trossard has done well on the left this season, but there is no denying that if Eze rediscovers his spark in that role, he could represent an upgrade. With Eze on the left, Saka on the right, and Declan Rice and Odegaard operating as dual No.8s, Arsenal’s attack could move to another level. Such a setup would also give Viktor Gyokeres the platform he needs to flourish as the goalscoring focal point.
With England set to face Albania next, it will be interesting to see if Thomas Tuchel hands Eze another start out wide. Given the fierce competition for the No.10 role, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Morgan Gibbs White all in contention, it may be wise for Eze to stake his claim on the left.
If he shines again, Arsenal fans will be watching closely. Because if the left wing continues to bring out the best in him, Arteta may have little choice but to revisit the plan that brought him to the Emirates in the first place.
Let’s discuss in the comments.
Daniel O
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Eze hasn’t been highly influential from the CAM position, so he should play LW when Odegaard returns or if Nwaneri shows better performance
His ideal role is the left-sided AM, but I don’t think he can play ahead of Rice and Merino there
@Gai Eze can actually play ahead of Merino in LM role. That’s what Arteta wanted to start exploring. Remember the last game before Odegard got injured Arsenal vs Westham? Arteta used Eze Rice Odegard in midfield and benched Zubimendi. But Odegard got injured and Zubimendi was brought on.
Arteta in his interview actually said he wants to explore better ways of getting result.
I thought Eze was pretty good for the short period he was on against Serbia & scored a great goal, but was quite ineffective yesterday against a lesser Albania. He was hardly in the game, completely lost the ball on at least one occasion, and just looked out of place on the left wing. So no, don’t play him in that position.
TBH, I don’t think he’s looked the player for us that he was at Palace. Quite a disappointment really.
As time goes by he will improve
Albania is a more better and organized team than Serbia. Much better opposition.
I think that Eze will be like a “comoding” when you play Cards. You can use them in different positions and occasions to improve your game.
He got enormous skills and qualities.
That is Arteta job with Arsenal and Tuchell with the English team.
I believe Eze’s best role is the one currently occupied by Trossard. He did his best job for Palace playing as left forward. Not exactly a number 10 and not exactly a winger but somewhere in between- the left half space.
He can glide past players receiving the ball from out wide,coming into the left channel with his right foot, to make quick one two combinations at the edge of the box, pick a pass or aim for the far corner. That is Eze at his best.
He doesn’t look as comfortable in the right half spaces which is more suited to Odegaard .Once the captain is back,I think he’ll go back to the left but it will difficult to displace Trossard in his current form.
There’s also been a narrative that Eze,even for Palace, usually had average starts to the season and that his best usually comes in the second half of the season. Maybe that’s a good thing for us because it’s the second half when we usually falter.
The former Crystal Palace Man is trying too hard in my opinion and that could be born out of the very high expectations by the Emirates faithfuls.
Some may have expected Eze to hit the road even better than Declan Rice due to his high technical abilities.
Eze’s display against Albania, was, quite frankly woeful, to the extent that i very much doubt if he will make the final pool for the World Cup.He seems to have become lethargic and lacking in determination in his recent performances for Club and Country and in my opinion he has not been as effective as Trossard in his recent outings and does not deserve to replace him.
As things stand my Arteta’s predicted lineup against Tottenham –
Merino.
Trossard. Eze. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Mosquera. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
Subs – Kepa, Jesus, Skelly, Nwaneri, Hincapie, White, Norgaard, Downman, Madueke.
Gyok won’t be available?
Yes, that’s the pretty much the likely squad. I think Ricky comes into middle and skells plays. Hincapie plays Tuesday then has to travel and yet to start a game for us, but has pace and passing ability so in future could be good choice for left cb. Not this one though too much too soon.
Neither Gyok or Ode or Kai makes Sundays squad, but Maddy might be on the bench. Maybe Ode and Kai makes bench for die rotten. Hopefully Big Gabby can get a start or two before the Liverpool match in new year.
Maddy when fit again is definite central striker option imo, his pace turn and power would work well in the middle.
We have to face it, it’s not just injuries but the most key players missing chunks of this season already, Big Gaby and Salli, Gyok, Kai, Saka, that you want in the big games. Man City can get a big lead in table just because of luck in next couple of months.
@Moon girl, sorry I got confused at some point in your comment. Who’s “maddy”?
Madueke?
SueP,
Unless I’m missing something. On looking at the predictions page, you’ve not got any predictions on there.
Did you forget?.
Hi Derek
No, I didn’t forget. Very weird so I wonder if my scores went into Admin’s spam?
Anyway, I don’t think I would have scored highly from memory
Definitely didn’t expect Liverpool to lose. I had City down as a draw. Also expected Wolves to lose.
On the basis that the scores are somewhere in the ether or I forgot to press the send button, here are my scores for Sunday etc (and thanks for bringing it to my attention)
Leeds 1-2 Villa
Arsenal 2-1 Spuds
Utd 2-1 Everton
Mena93,
I think Moon Girl is referring to Madueke with her reference Maddy. 👍