Arsenal will surely now complete Eberechi Eze transfer after what Noni Madueke just did

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Arsenal have completed the signing of Noni Madueke, and Andrea Berta could now turn his attention towards sealing a deal for Eberechi Eze.

The Gunners have moved quickly in the market to address a number of key areas of concern.

Martin Zubimendi was signed for £55 million from Real Sociedad, while Christian Norgaard has also arrived to plug the gap left by the departed Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera have joined the North London club to fill squad roles, and Viktor Gyokeres is set to sign as the marquee striker addition.

Noni Madueke has arrived from Chelsea to compete with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and now one more piece of the jigsaw could be added to complete Mikel Arteta’s squad.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Noni Madueke didn’t take the number ten shirt at Arsenal

Madueke has opted to take the number 20 shirt at Arsenal, despite the number ten and number 14 both being available.

The number ten is historically a prestigious shirt to wear in football, while the number 14 is an illustrious shirt at Arsenal due to Thierry Henry’s legacy wearing it.

It’s possible that the Gunners are holding the 14 shirt back for Gyokeres, as it’s generally been donned by strikers in the past.

However, Madueke actively chose not to take the number ten, perhaps because the North London club wanted to keep it open for another potential incoming.

Eberechi Eze is heavily linked with Arsenal and has worn the number ten throughout his time at Crystal Palace.

Eze adopting this shirt number would no doubt excite fans and be an incredibly successful ploy from the Gunners commercially.

Thus, the potentially conscious decision to prevent Madueke from taking it could be a sign that Arsenal will make a move for Eze this summer.

Should Arsenal sign Eberechi Eze?

From a purely sentimental standpoint, the potential signing of Eze makes a lot of sense for Arsenal.

A boyhood fan who was released from the club’s academy at a young age, all Gunners supporters would love to see the player back in N5.

From a football perspective, the 27-year-old would add an injection of offensive firepower, with his ability to carry the ball past players in central spaces and take shots qualities that Arsenal need.

However, the £68 million release clause is steep for a player in his late 20s and who wouldn’t have a defined role in Arteta’s starting eleven.

Not likely to start over Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard very frequently, he’s also not a natural wide player, even if he could be effective in certain games from the left.

He’d certainly be a good signing for the vibes around North London, although it may not be the most sensible addition for Berta to make.