Opinion: Could Eberechi Eze transform Arsenal’s left side under Arteta?
Arsenal ran riot against a hapless Leeds United side last time out as they put five past the newly promoted team. Just before the encounter, the man of the moment was Eberechi Eze as the club unveiled their new number 10 in front of the Emirates crowd. The former Crystal Palace man was a player […] The post Opinion: Could Eberechi Eze transform Arsenal’s left side under Arteta? appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
RR aka Rishi-Raj
Arsenal ran riot against a hapless Leeds United side last time out as they put five past the newly promoted team. Just before the encounter, the man of the moment was Eberechi Eze as the club unveiled their new number 10 in front of the Emirates crowd. The former Crystal Palace man was a player Arsenal were linked to all summer, with reports confirming the club’s intent from as far back as June. Arsenal could only just complete a move for the talented forward and were it not for a serious injury to Kai Havertz, Eze could have been a Spurs player at the time of writing.
Several factors contributed to Arsenal’s delayed approach. Chief among them was his profile, as the club saw him as a more central option in a position where they were already well stocked. Arsenal reportedly cooled their interest in Eze following Ethan Nwaneri’s contract extension.
Eze’s role in Arteta’s system
Before Arsenal completed his signing, the club reportedly favoured a move for an out-and-out left winger, but the way Mikel Arteta set up the attack against Leeds suggests Eberechi Eze could be deployed almost exclusively on the left wing.
For much of the encounter Arsenal set up in a 3-2-5 formation when building up or in advanced attacking positions. Arsenal usually set up this way and it is nothing new, but what was particularly interesting to see was the players occupying the half spaces in the attacking quintet. Instead of Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard occupying the left and right half spaces respectively, Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka filled the spaces instead.
Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber were the ones to provide the width on both flanks and, as a result, the wingers were often picked up by line breaking passes in between the lines, setting them free to make inroads into the penalty area.
How Eze could thrive
Given how fluid Arsenal are, they did not always set up that way, but it provides a clear template on how to maximise the ability of Eberechi Eze in a position that is not his natural fit. He is more of a danger when central and picking up positions in those areas will allow him to utilise his dribbling and goalscoring ability to full effect. His ability to find his teammates with quick passes will also be an invaluable asset in that position, especially when considering the intensity and frequency with which Viktor Gyökeres makes runs in behind.
Lining up in a more central role off the left will also help with familiarity, given he featured prominently in a similar position for Crystal Palace where he played as one of two attacking midfielders.
All things considered, Eberechi Eze and Arsenal stand to benefit immensely if Mikel Arteta deploys him in that manner. We will have to wait and see exactly how Eze lines up in the starting eleven, but what are your early thoughts Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
The post Opinion: Could Eberechi Eze transform Arsenal’s left side under Arteta? appeared first on Just Arsenal News.
