Eberechi Eze should have added motivation for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea
Arsenal were unable to bring in a marquee attacking addition in the summer transfer window.
Much has been made of that, but Mikel Arteta insists he is happy with his squad.
The Premier League champions surely now have the best defence and the best midfield in the country, but you can’t help but feel they are still missing something in the front line.
However, there’s now a golden opportunity for Eberechi Eze to step up and take the mantle.
Eze could be set to start against Chelsea after coming on at half-time replacing a struggling Christos Tzolis at Villa Park.
And with Morgan Rogers playing on the other side, Eze has a chip on his shoulder.
Eberechi Eze has a chance to prove Arsenal didn’t need Morgan Rogers
Arsenal spent much of the early summer window testing the waters for Morgan Rogers.
The 24-year-old was said to be Arteta’s primary target to strengthen the left side of the attack.
But Elliot Anderson’s £116million switch to Manchester City set a benchmark fee for Aston Villa, and Arsenal weren’t willing to match Chelsea’s £117million bid.
The Gunners looked elsewhere but were ultimately left empty-handed by the end of the window.
Many fans and pundits alike think Arsenal should’ve signed Rogers, including Ian Wright.
That alone should give Eze extra motivation on Sunday. Prove that you are good enough to step up and that Rogers wasn’t needed.
Eze made a difference in the second-half against Aston Villa, combining well with Riccardo Calafiori down the left-flank which helped create Bukayo Saka’s winner.
He wasn’t fully trusted by Arteta there last season — ironically it was at Villa Park last campaign where he mostly stopped playing there.
But the Arsenal manager doesn’t have many options right now. Eze is, arguably, his best one.
And against Chelsea, he may want as much Premier League experience on the pitch, making Eze the more likely starter over Tzolis on the left wing.
If he does, he gets the chance to make a statement — against the player Arsenal wanted instead of him.
