In the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Brighton, a glaring issue has emerged in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
After Declan Rice’s controversial sending-off against The Seagulls, Arsenal have been left somewhat short of numbers in the midfield.
Arsenal’s summer signing Mikel Merino suffered a freak injury in training, leaving Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho as the available first-team options for the upcoming match against Tottenham.
With Merino and Jorginho set to compete with Rice and Partey for their starting roles in Arteta’s three-man midfield, Arsenal lack a true alternative to the flair of Odegaard.
The Norwegian has been almost ever-present since he arrived from Real Madrid, only missing four league matches in the previous two title-challenging seasons.
His influence is apparent for all Gunners fans to see but should anything ever happen to him, the Arsenal boss could struggle to replicate his midfield maestro.
Competition could be required, therefore. But Arsenal only need to look across London to find a potentially ideal signing whose club seem already resigned to losing.
Crystal Palace ‘astounded’ to keep hold of Eberechi Eze, Arsenal should pounce
Talking to Sky Sports, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish shared his shock that an elite club didn’t attempt to buy Eberechi Eze this summer.
He said: “We didn’t have, in Ebs [Eze], the interest I thought we would have. I was astounded, genuinely astounded. The guy is an outstanding footballer and person, he’d be a gift to any football club.”
Parish also hinted that the club would never stand in the way of a player’s move to a club like Arsenal, saying: “We want to be a destination club in the end. We want to be playing in the Champions League but the reality is that we don’t right now.
“That’s what players want to achieve in their career and we respect that. We also respect the fact that sometimes we’ll be a pathway to that.”
Evidently, Palace will not prevent Eze from making a move to the Emirates Stadium should the right bid come in.
As Arteta’s side looks to compete in all competitions, a move for the English talisman to support Odegaard could be a no-brainer.
What can Eberechi Eze offer to Arsenal’s star-studded midfield?
Whilst Odegaard provides a creative spark to Arsenal’s midfield, Eze could offer a directness that would overwhelm opposition defences.
So far this season, Eze has averaged two more shots on goal per 90 minutes than Odegaard, with at least one of those shots on target per game.
Eze has also completed more dribbles than Odegaard, alongside 1.33 possessions won in the final third per 90, ahead of Odegaard’s 1.06.
Odegaard more traditionally suits Arteta’s quest to control football matches, but Eze could provide a level of dynamism and unpredictability that would change the complexion of a game if Arsenal required it.
In difficult Premier League games against Manchester City or tight Champions League ties, Arteta’s side could benefit from a player who would add forward purpose in midfield.
Eze would provide this and Arsenal should seriously consider testing Palace’s resolve for their star man.
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