Charlie Austin believes one member of Mikel Arteta’s squad is now ‘under pressure’ at Arsenal.
Andrea Berta spent £250 million on eight players over the summer, subsequently supplying Arteta with an ensemble full of quality options in every position.
Questions have been raised over how the Spaniard will keep everyone happy across the course of the season, with several players fighting for just a handful of slots in the starting eleven in certain departments.
The likes of Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Leandro Trossard have already found themselves on the periphery of Arteta’s squad, and more can expect to play fewer minutes than they’d have hoped for going forward.
Charlie Austin says Martin Odegaard is now ‘under pressure’ because of Eberechi Eze
Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze for £67.5 million in the summer.
Eze was brought in to compete for a place on the Gunners’ left wing, while he was also acquired to provide cover and competition for Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard is currently recovering from a shoulder injury, and Eze has subsequently played in a midfield role in each of Arsenal’s last two games.
The former Crystal Palace man has impressed in both of these matches and is in line to start as a number eight in Sunday’s clash with Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, ex-Premier League striker Charlie Austin claimed that Odegaard is now under pressure, as a result of Eze’s recent displays in the middle of the park.
“For me, Martin Odegaard is the one under pressure,” Austin said.
“He got three goals and eight assists last season, someone who is central to the team, that’s not a lot, that’s not hitting the heights that he’s hit in the past. For me, Eze in the middle can really drive Arsenal to the next level.
“He can start him centrally, and have him drift left in that free role. I just think we’ve seen how pivotal he is and how dominant he is when he gets the ball. Play him in the right position and you’ll see what he can do.”
Can Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze play together for Arsenal?
Odegaard struggled at times last season, but the Norwegian is still the Gunners’ captain and central to their ball progression.
He’ll most likely start the majority of games when he’s fit, meaning Eze will have to be accommodated elsewhere.
The new signing will occasionally fill in for Odegaard, but the former Real Madrid man is still seen as pivotal to Arsenal by Arteta.
Eze will likely start on the left for the Gunners, a role which will allow him to come inside and operate alongside Odegaard in central areas, with the width coming from the left-back.
This dynamic has the potential to work perfectly and could be the combination that ultimately helps the Gunners to unlock low blocks on a weekly basis.
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