Following injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard, it is time for Eberechi Eze to make his mark at Arsenal.
Following Eze’s hat-trick in the North London derby, the winger looked set to really kick on at the Emirates Stadium; however, that has not quite happened.
🤔 What GRADE would you give Eberechi Eze’s first season at Arsenal so far?
Credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
In fact, over recent months, the 27-year-old has seen his game time diminish, failing to start in any of the Gunners’ last nine Premier League matches.
But now, Mikel Arteta’s team desperately needs him to show why they paid £68 million to sign him ahead of Tottenham last summer.
Eberechi Eze needs to justify Andrea Berta bringing him to Arsenal
Arsenal are now without two of their number ten options, following injuries to Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, leaving them with just Eberechi Eze.
Havertz has suffered a shock injury, which is a major blow for the North London club, as the German was getting back to his best.
Over recent weeks, Havertz looked poised to offer Eze further competition for his starting spot, but his progress has been stalled.
Eze is now Arteta’s only fit and viable option to start in the attacking midfield role for the Gunners’ crucial trip across London to face Brentford.
The former Crystal Palace star would be making a rare start in the Premier League should his manager give him the nod, but in truth, his performances have not merited many minutes.
Last summer, Andrea Berta forced Arsenal to move for Eze, and they made a very late move to snatch him away from Spurs.
👀 MARTIN ODEGAARD or EBERECHI EZE, which Arsenal midfielder should Mikel Arteta start in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley?
Credit: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images – Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
At the time, it looked like a very exciting deal and one which would bolster Arteta’s squad; however, the player has not quite had the desired impact.
But with Havertz, Saka and Odegaard all missing against Brentford, it presents Eze with the chance to prove why Berta was so keen to sign him.
The 27-year-old stepped up against Tottenham last November, and he must now produce a similar level of performance to convince Arteta to give him more minutes.
Kai Havertz injury update provided
Havertz is likely to miss three to four weeks due to a muscle injury, according to Simon Collins.
The German attacker had two goals and two assists in his last four matches and was being deployed in an attacking midfield role.
He started over Eze at the weekend, but with Odegaard and Havertz out, it’s now time for Eze to shine at the Emirates Stadium.
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