Arsenal travel to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The Gunners are flying high right now and are unbeaten in their last 18 games in all competitions. Villa have been great too, having won each of their last six fixtures.
That makes the game on Saturday a big test for both sides, but in Eberechi Eze, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have a secret weapon to get the better of his predecessor, Unai Emery.
What do you think was Unai Emery’s biggest mistake at Arsenal before he was sacked?
Eberechi Eze has already destroyed Unai Emery’s Aston Villa
Arsenal have found it hard against Aston Villa since Emery took charge of them.
The former Gunners boss is an elite manager, and even though things didn’t work out for him at the Emirates, he deserves a lot of praise.
Emery will likely deploy a low block against Arsenal, which is something he has done in the past.
That means Arteta will need his creative players to break them down, which is why we think Martin Odegaard is guaranteed to start.
However, Eze should get the nod on the left wing too – he has already proven how good he can be in that role against Villa.
The last time the England international played on the left flank against Emery’s side was on the final day of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Eze scored two goals, picked up an assist, and helped Crystal Palace beat Villa 5-0, which is Emery’s heaviest defeat in England to this day.
That is why Eze should start against Villa on Saturday.
Describe Eberechi Eze’s start to life at Arsenal using three words!
Eberechi Eze needs to prove a point at Arsenal
Eze has had a decent start to life at Arsenal.
The England international has directly contributed to nine goals in 14 starts for the Gunners since his big-money move from Crystal Palace in the summer. That includes a stunning hat-trick against Tottenham.
However, there have been games when Eze has looked like a passenger in this Arsenal side, which is a concern for him now that Odegaard is back fit.
If he starts against Aston Villa, Eze will need to deliver. If he doesn’t, he may lose his place in the side – not just to his captain in attacking midfield but to Leandro Trossard on the left wing as well.
That adds pressure on the 27-year-old’s shoulders ahead of the game at Villa Park on Saturday.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
