Tim Sherwood claims Eberechi Eze did not deserve to start against Spurs, but Mikel Arteta was spot on to start him anyway against a team he clearly loves to face.
Eze has now scored five goals against Tottenham this season, making him just the second player to net that many goals in a North London derby since 1935.
TRUE or FALSE: Eberechi Eze has just taken Martin Odegaard’s spot at Arsenal… 👀
Now in total, the 27-year-old has eight goals and one assist against the North London club for both Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Each time he has scored against Spurs, the midfielder has struggled to contain his joy, and Sherwood said it was smart for Arteta to bring him back into the team for the North London derby.
Tim Sherwood hails Mikel Arteta’s ‘fantastic management’ starting Eberechi Eze vs Spurs
Tim Sherwood has hailed Mikel Arteta’s ‘fantastic management’ in starting Eberechi Eze against Tottenham.
Based on Eze’s recent form, he did not warrant a start; however, his muscle memory of playing against Spurs meant it was a very smart move from Arteta.
“He hasn’t been performing very well, and if they weren’t playing against Tottenham yesterday, he wouldn’t have played,” Sherwood told Sky Sports.
“I think it’s fantastic management from Mikel Arteta. You know, he’s scored a hat trick in the first fixture. I mean, I would have brought him back in because he’s got that muscle memory.”
Finish the sentence: Eberechi Eze’s best position for Arsenal is _____
Eze came close to joining Tottenham last summer, so his five goals against them only rub further salt in the wounds during a 4-1 defeat.
“You know, he’s performed against his nemesis, hasn’t he? And not only that, he rubs salt in the wounds because the Tottenham fans thought they had him,” he added.
“They thought they were going to see him in a white shirt. Then they wake up one morning, and all of a sudden, he’s at the Emirates signing a contract there. Then to score a hat-trick and then a double yesterday at your own ground was devastating.”
Mikel Arteta must start Eberechi Eze vs Chelsea
It’s quite clear that Arteta must start Eze against Chelsea following his electric performance in the North London derby.
Arteta now knows how to get the best from Eze, with the former Palace star producing an angry performance against Spurs to prove his manager wrong.
But following a confidence-boosting display, Arteta must look to build on that by handing him a consecutive start when Chelsea arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
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