Eberechi Eze to Arsenal is fast becoming one of the most polarising transfers among Gooners.
Arsenal are expected to close the deal, but Crystal Palace are unlikely to make it easy. They want a fortune to let the playmaker go.
For Eze
Some fans are fully convinced by the narrative that Eze is a low-block killer, the missing piece to solve Arsenal’s biggest issue: breaking down deep or mid-blocks.
Against Eze
Others argue that the glaring weakness at left wing should be prioritised instead of signing Eze. This group sees Eze more as a central or attacking midfielder, and if he’s being signed for a midfield role, they question whether he should be the priority.
They point to internal options like Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri, who could offer that X-factor in midfield.
To end their argument, these Gooners pose a bold question:
Yes, Eze offers midfield squad depth – but with Declan Rice and Mikel Merino already occupying the roles he’s expected to play, isn’t he too good to be playing second fiddle?
Which begs the question: wouldn’t it make more sense if Arteta sees him as a left winger?
Arsenal desperately need an upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in that position.
So do they really need to splash out £67.5m on Eze when such a fee could land a top winger like Rafael Leão?
Pressure on Berta and Arteta
Sporting director Andrea Berta and head coach Mikel Arteta are under pressure. If they opt to sign Eze for the hefty fee Palace are determined to hold out for, it has to make sense.
Eze arriving at Arsenal only to warm the bench would be highly controversial.
How he fits into a starting line-up that already includes Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Ødegaard will be intriguing.
Yes, Eze is the X-factor Arsenal believe they’re missing, but if they’re signing him, one would hope there’s a clear plan to utilise him.
In the end, it’s how he breaks into this Arsenal line-up, and who misses out, that will be fascinating to watch.
And not just that: if he signs, does he solve the left-wing conundrum?
Because if he doesn’t, Berta could face serious scrutiny for choosing Eze over a natural wide option.
What are you thoughts on Eze? Are you for or against?
Daniel O
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As anyone thought, its also a tactical problem??
Never!
Intriguing write up Daniel.
I reckon we do both; get an upgrade on Martinelli/Troasard and sign Eze.
This is possible if the club is able to make good sales from potential outgoings (one of Troasard or Martinelli, Fabio Vierra, Reiss Nelson, Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus). That’s 5 players, if Arsenal can sell at least 3 of these players we should be able to sign a great left wing forward and Eze.
We are going to face lots of low blocks this coming season, so the X factor Eze provides will be highly needed because it our play is so predictable these days, we struggle a lot when faced with low blocks.
We need a better left wing forward because our current players there have not been consistently effective, this week rely more on the right side of our attack, which is why if the right side of our attack is neutralised, we usually end up having a bad game.
We needed a formidable left wing forward except if the coach plans to use Noni there, and a different type of #10 to Odegaard like Eze that can play through the middle and dismantle low blocks.
You’ve described quite a lot of things that need to fall into place even if as you say three players will need to be moved on for sufficient funds to become available.
I think that the chances of Martinelli being transferred are extremely low and that of Trossard are low.
Eze remains a possibility and if Arsenal can bring him in they’ll be in a much better place to challenge strongly for the PL.
Eze would not be a consistent Arsenal quality winger but no one else playing on the left side would be better able to get the best out of Marinelli, whatever that is.
Berkamp4ever,
Wow……………Eze can play in Odegaard role good competition as Ode was poor last yr, on the flanks if need to be, Maduenke may struggle etc he offers genuine world class alternatives like Rodrigo does at RM.I am stunned ex players from manure he will be a bench warmer they are just jealous. If he went MU they would be lording him!
Why are we not looking to loan Rodrygo with an option to buy.
I suspect it’s crossed a few minds.
Eze would be an asset to Arsenal as Madueke can replace Martinelli so Eze can move further in.
Eze’s high-risk through passes and dribbles are prone to counter-attack by our opposition, because most of those passes and dribbles are conducted in tight-spaces on the ground
It would be much safer to break the defense of the low-block teams with the aerial ability and hold-up play of our CF
Unfortunately, Sesko prefers to play for Man United
@Gai, A lot of this personal opinion about Sesko or EZE remains a gamble. What Arsenal needs is a game changer. And IMO, I have watched EZE operates as a game changer for Crystal Palace.
I think with whatever new players Arsenal has Arteta as a coach needs to evolve his tactics. Their is positives to take on Gyokeres considering how he played against Villarreal the flashes shows he can do holdup well.
Yeah, Gyokeres’ hold-up play looked good in his last game
Arteta would likely still use the same tactics this season, so Gyokeres should adapt to those
Maybe I’m going crazy, but picture this: Get Eze, rotate with Odegaard, use Madueke on the left and Saka on the right. Could swing Eze on the LW when Ode is playing, even. You got like 3 subs who could play on the right (Noni, Nwaneri and Dowman), but only two – poor – options for the left (could be 3 if you count Madueke here too). Rotation is what this team needs, for dynamics, a change of pace. See last game how Dowman came in and made a difference? Kid is excited to play, he tries, he’s not afraid. As much as I like Zinny he has to go, it’s best for him, he has no more space in the team. Sell Fabio, Nelson, Lokonga, Jesus and Martinelli or Trossard too. The team needs players who can change the pace, make an impact. None of these players can do that… unfortunately. It’s (passed) time for a change.
A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have swapped Martinelli for too many other players in the prem. I still don’t believe that he has suddenly become a bad player.
The tactics we employ are just not suited to him, with the inverted left back. He needs someone overlapping like White does for Saka. I still think he is a player, just not fitting with our style of play.
Same goes for Odegaard. We are all crying out for more creativity in the midfield but have possibly one of the most creative midfielders in the Prem being used as a feeder for Saka on the right.
Rice needs to drop back to a double pivot with Zubi and Odegaard needs a bit more freedom to roam ahead of them to feed both wings and our new striker.
Give Martinelli a full back that overlaps every now and again and I think we have the players to do the job, if they play a little less rigid.
There’s always a want for new players but where does it end. As soon as we get a new left winger, we’ll want a new left back and so on.
Maybe we should be looking to create the tactics to suit the players we have a little better. Instead of buying more players to end up in the same situation only with different names on the team sheet.
Agree with all this.
We just let Tierney go though, who fits the LB profile you’re talking about… Calafiori can do it of course, but is really more of a central defender. So currently we don’t have that profile in that position.
If we assume we’re not getting it, then we have the same issues as last year. One option is to get an upgrade on Nelli. Which really is unfortunate. When we’re set up to his strengths, as in 22/23, our left side is so much more dangerous.
Tierney was thrown on the scrapheap by Arteta. After recovering from injury was given limited opportunities; what a waste of a top class international LB!
Yes, a shame that it didn’t work out for Tierney, amazing player when fit. I do like Calafiori too,, but sadly has injury issues as well. Hopefully he gets a good run in the team.
Would love to get an upgrade/competition for Martinelli and also think Madueke might surprise in that position…. Hopefully.
Some competition or an alternative style of player to Odegaard would also be very welcome.
I just feel we already have a very talented squad of players and just a few small tactical tweaks could really get the best out of them.
23/25 season was the most excited I have been watching Arsenal since the Wenger glory days and I really thought we were going to kick on from that, but while we are very good defensively the attacking has become a tad predictable.
Still, it’s only preseason and this is the time to work on different ideas, whether it be new tactics or new players.
*22/23 season
One position we absolutely can’t afford to neglect (echoing what others have said) is the need for a true creative force in midfield.
Right now, Odegaard is our only option there, and that hasn’t been working well since last season.
The reality is, we need more dynamism in the middle to unlock our creativity. Odegaard has become too one-dimensional to make a real impact anymore.
My vote goes to bringing in Eze and a left winger too, if possible.
Twinlights,
I agree with you. But I can only see us bringing in one more player if we bring any in at all. What position is anyone’s guess.
Derek
Yes, I think that’s right. The latest candidate according to a new article elsewhere on JA is Barcola. Where that puts him against Eze, Rodrygo and Lookman, to name but three, is anyone’s guess.
Given Arsenal haven’t sold anyone (for decent money) yet, I can’t see them splashing out on another £60m player, let alone two, but we’ll see.
Bertie,
If my memory serves me correctly, Ronaldo can play down the left can’t he. He’s about the only left sided player we haven’t been connected with. Or is that tomorrows headline. 😂👍
I know this is off topic. But today back in 2012, a certain magician by the name of Santi Cazorla signed for us. What a player he was, and still is by the way.
To this day, I still don’t know what his preferred foot was. He was that good with both of them. 😂👍
If it’s only one more incoming and it’s Eze, then obviously tactics have to change to put out the best team. Eze would need to be in as he creates and confuses defenses. The offense needs to be less rigid. With Zubi laying back a bit, I see a forward midfield of Rice left, Eze center and Odie right with Gyo and Saka front, drifting either left or right. With MLS , Ben or Timber overlapping or supporting the wings. Eze is the disrupter in the center with Rice and Odie shifting the play and Saka and Gyo making runs and looking for open space. This offense needs a spark and a change of tactics.
The comments above prove none of us are.managers !
I think Berta and Arteta are.now going to see next 2 to 3 weeks how this new team gels and then what is required….. hence no reason to jump the gun now with Eze. I think they’re waiting till end of window to see his price come down and also re Rodrygo and maybe someone else who isn’t yet on the radar
Speak for yourself. My armchair suits me just fine, at least until I throw something at the telly.
I suspect you’re correct about this waiting period.
Bruised Banana,
I suggest you invest in a sponge or rubber brick. That results in no damage to said telly, and your frustrations can be let lose in a safe manner. 😂🤣👍
👍Good suggestion Derek. I would have seen more second halves that way.
Bruised Banana,
Another suggestion, you could save yourself the frustration and just chuck the brick at the telly before the game even kicksoff.
Maybe not!. 👍
Neil,
Just a word of caution regarding Palace dropping their asking price for Eze nearer the end of the window.
They strike me as a club that doesn’t need to sell, and if that’s the case I find it slightly arrogant of Arsenal to even expect them to.
Unfortunately, it’s our club in their recent selling history who is more likely to drop said asking price of one of their players. 🤷♂️
Last night’s defeat should accelerate transfer deals in and out. Hopefully things go as planned.
Madueke played on the left, care to comment?
This is not to crap on Madueke, but we spent a whopping 52M on a Chelsea squad player, but are now refusing to pay the asking price for Eze, the versatile playmaker.
Are we still a big club or just pretending to be one?
Get the deal done!
Unfortunately, Martinelli has “hit the wall” after a bright start, appearing to lose his ability/confidence to beat his opponent and shoot on goal.
Eze greatly improves Arsenal’s attacking potential through the centre with his running/dribbling and passing ability. His best role would be at #10, with the wing a secondary option. Martin Odegaard is coming off a poor season (by the standards expected) and needs Eze as a threat to his starting position. Competition should lift the performances of both players.
Arsenal is much stronger in attack with Eze as an option.