Eberechi Eze has been an immediate impact player since arriving from Crystal Palace and quickly became one of Arsenal’s better attackers. The young midfielder has been as energetic and lively as he’s been effective, already chipping in two assists in the season’s first few weeks. His performance has drawn attention from manager Mikel Arteta, who is considering starting Eze in the upcoming match against Newcastle United. This would be a smart move to fix the Gunners’ problems in creating chances — especially after their heavy loss on the attacking end lately.
Eze had a full pre-season with Crystal Palace under his belt. That preparation, work and study have the 24-year-old set to compete at the highest level. In the first four matches to start the season, we’ve seen the best of what could be a generationally gifted talent. Eze opened the scoring for Arsenal in their 4-0 Carabao Cup rout of Port Vale. This magnificent performance went a long way to solidifying his place in Arteta’s plans.
Arteta clearly sees the kind of magic potential Eze adds to the squad, telling the official Palace website that the player has “the capacity to create magic moments.” Combined with his ability to open passing lanes and serve up key through balls and other playmaking chances, he quickly becomes an invaluable piece of Arsenal’s attacking puzzle.
Eze’s Impact on Arsenal’s Offense
Eberechi Eze’s inclusion in the squad is especially noteworthy as Arsenal looks to improve their attacking threat. Alongside new signings like Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, Eze is sure to deepen Arsenal’s offensive firepower. His distinctive skill set gives him a chance to create opportunities and help score goals in a variety of ways. This potentially will be a season saving skill as the season goes along.
Eze’s recent performances have not gone unnoticed. It was his spectacular assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s goal against Manchester City on 8 February that truly showcased his vision and creativity on the ball. Arteta praised Eze’s ability, stating that he is probably the only player in the squad willing to attempt such daring passes. That ability might prove to be a key factor in unlocking packed-in defenses.
Despite Eze’s impressive display against Liverpool, Arteta has been tentative with his use. After the game, the manager cited load management as one explanation for not starting Eze regularly. He pointed to Eze’s unfamiliarity with the right-sided No 8 role as a reason for it. Still, Arteta’s tune is likely to be different when he considers the advantages of having Eze out on the pitch right from the kickoff.
The Case for Starting Eze Against Newcastle
So as Arsenal get ready to take on Newcastle, the debate about Eze’s inclusion to the first team is only going to heat up. It’s possible Mikel Arteta would prefer to field Eze from the start instead of deploying Gyokeres. Gyokeres has played plenty of minutes recently, but to no effect. Fresh legs and a creative mind like Eze’s could provide Arsenal with a crucial tactical advantage in this high-stakes fixture.
Arteta clearly admires Eze’s talents and has publicly spoken to his quality in past press conferences. In her tenure the manager has made it a priority to field the most talented players possible without compromising their ability to defend. Gary Neville got it right when he recently argued that a football manager’s most important task is to get the most skilled players on the pitch. At the most macro level, this needs to be accomplished without cutting into defense.
Releasing Eze from the outset against Newcastle could prove to be a genius move Arteta takes full advantage of. His dynamic style of play and capacity to produce game-changing moments make him a valuable player when aiming for victory.
Looking Ahead
Arsenal’s Women’s FA Cup campaign may be just starting out in earnest. Getting Eberechi Eze into the starting XI would be an enormous step towards increasing their creativity output. His proven ability to create opportunities and score goals can significantly bolster Arsenal’s offensive strategies.
Eze’s early contributions should give the English international confidence to be a decisive factor in key matches moving forward. With a full pre-season behind him and growing familiarity with his teammates, he is well-positioned to become a cornerstone of Arsenal’s attack.
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