England’s win over Costa Rica may have given Mikel Arteta something new to think about.
The 3-0 victory was a routine one for Thomas Tuchel’s side, but Arsenal supporters will have been watching the second half very closely.
Eberechi Eze came off the bench and was used in a left-sided central midfield role, the same area where Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed for Arsenal in the final weeks of last season.
That may now become a problem for the teenager because Eze looked very comfortable there and gave Arteta another option to consider.
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Myles Lewis-Skelly may have a new problem at Arsenal after Eberechi Eze’s England display
Lewis-Skelly made a huge impression when he was used in midfield towards the end of last season.
The Arsenal academy graduate looked strong, calm and intelligent in possession, and many supporters started to believe that his long-term future may be in the middle of the park rather than at left-back.
That still may be the case, but competition for places at Arsenal is only getting harder.
Eze’s cameo against Costa Rica showed exactly why Mikel Arteta may be tempted to use him deeper more often next season.
The Arsenal star has the technical quality to receive the ball in tight spaces, carry it through pressure and pick out runners from midfield.
One pass to Morgan Rogers during the game was a perfect example.
Eze picked the ball up in a deeper area and slid a brilliant through ball into Rogers’ path, giving him a clear sight of goal.
Last season, Eze produced long passes to send Gabriel Martinelli through against Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Both passes came from a deeper position, and both led to goals.
If Arteta wants more creativity from that left-sided midfield role, Eze may suddenly become a very serious option there.
That would naturally reduce Lewis-Skelly’s chances of playing in that position.
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Incredible in the midfield against Fulham
Eberechi Eze in a deeper role could be a game-changer for Arsenal
Using Eze as a left-sided number eight would give Arsenal a completely different weapon.
Against teams who press high, his ability to slide passes in behind could unleash runners like Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Rogers if he joins the club.
Against teams who defend deep, Eze would add another creative player between the lines and give Arsenal more ways to break opponents down.
There is an obvious defensive concern because he is nowhere near as solid as Lewis-Skelly in that role. That may stop Arteta from using him there in every game.
But as a tactical option, it is absolutely worth exploring. Eze has the quality to change matches from deeper areas, and Lewis-Skelly may now have another major battle on his hands.
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