Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Eberechi Eze, and Gabby Agbonlahor believes this addition may have an adverse effect on another member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.
The Gunners have been on the hunt for a creative midfielder who can also operate out wide throughout this transfer window, and finally appear to have found their man.
Eze will sign for Arsenal for £68 million from Crystal Palace, becoming the North Londoners’ seventh acquisition of the summer, and their most expensive.
The England international is expected to undergo his medical at the Sohba Realty training ground on Friday, and could even feature against Leeds at the Emirates on Saturday.
Gabby Agbonlahor says Declan Rice might have to change positions to accommodate Eberechi Eze
While Eze is a talented player, there are some question marks around where he’ll fit in at Arsenal.
Not a natural winger, it’s possible that Mikel Arteta will look to shoehorn the 27-year-old into the team on the left-hand side of the Gunners’ attack.
He can certainly adapt his game to thrive in this role, although he may be better used centrally, if Arteta can find a way to use him on the interior.
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Eze should slot into Arsenal’s midfield, arguing that Declan Rice should move further back to accommodate the new signing.
“He could even play in that role where either Declan Rice or [Martin] Odegaard plays, and then Declan Rice could maybe go back to where [Martin] Zubimendi plays,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT.
“They have so many options now Arsenal, and that’s a scary team.”
Arsenal signed Martin Zubimendi for £55 million, and thus, the Spaniard is likely to play the majority of the available minutes.
Arteta also favours Rice in a more advanced role as an eight, meaning Agbonlahor’s vision for Eze in the former West Ham man’s role isn’t likely to come to fruition too frequently.
Eberechi Eze’s position will be determined by who Arsenal are playing
Agbonlahor also believes Eze will lead Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
Such optimism is predicated on the idea that the Palace talisman will play regularly for the Gunners, and given the fee Berta is outlaying on him, this is likely.
£68 million is not a sum you splash on a squad player, meaning Eze will be a prominent player in N5.
Where he plays may depend on who Arsenal are playing.
| Eberechi Eze’s Premier League Statistics 2024/25 | |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Shots per 90 | 3.48 |
| Expected Goals per 90 | 0.36 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 2.01 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.22 |
| Successful Take-ons per 90 | 2.33 |
It’s set to be a long season with a congested fixture schedule, meaning the likes of Martin Odegaard and Rice will need to be rested from time to time.
This creates opportunities for Eze to feature in midfield, and this may even be the ideal selection for Arteta to make against deep blocks.
When the Gunners are tasked with breaking down stubborn defences, Eze’s craft and guile in the final third will give them another dimension at left eight.
In most other games, he’s likely to usurp the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard at left wing.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
