£65m player is the real winner of Arsenal’s transfer window
Arsenal had a quiet end to their summer transfer window in terms of incomings.
Outgoings were the focus instead, with Gabriel Jesus joining Barcelona and Fabio Vieira heading to Hamburg in a permanent move.
Ethan Nwaneri joined Borussia Dortmund on loan, while we are still waiting for confirmation of Gabriel Martinelli’s move to Saudi Arabia.
Christos Tzolis was the only attacking addition, so they’re left looking rather short there, particularly at left wing.
That has opened up a huge opportunity for Eberechi Eze. All things considered, no one will be happier than him about Arsenal’s window.
It’s obvious which position Eberechi Eze will play this season
When Eze joined Arsenal last summer, the initial excitement was around using him as a left-wing option.
But it never quite materialised that way, and he spent most of the season in the Martin Odegaard role in the ‘right-10’ position.
Eze came on for Tzolis at half-time against Aston Villa and helped create the Bukayo Saka winner that secured all three points.
Ironically, it was the very same fixture last season where he lost the trust of Mikel Arteta in the left wing position. Well, maybe he has earned that back — not that Arteta really has a choice anymore given his options.
That spot is now his to lose. Leandro Trossard and Martinelli are both gone and Tzolis needs help. Arteta now has to make Eze work there, and we think it’s the role that we can see the best out of him in.
With Odegaard fully fit again, and Mikel Merino and Max Dowman providing enough depth behind the Arsenal captain, Eze will play mostly as a left winger this season.
It’s time for Eberechi Eze to become a key player for Arsenal
Last season felt, at times, like Eze was happy just to be at Arsenal. Obviously the goals against Tottenham were a highlight of the season. As was the screamer against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
But the consistency, the swagger, the genuine belief that he belongs among the very best, didn’t always come through.
Look at what his former Crystal Palace teammate Michael Olise has done at Bayern Munich. When Eze and Olise were both at Palace, they were on a similar level. Eze was arguably the main man actually.
But Olise plays with the belief that he is the best player on the pitch every single time he steps out. That arrogance, that confidence — it elevates him.
Eze needs to do the same. He’s one of the most talented players at Arsenal.
Time to stop being happy to be there and start acting like he owns the place.
Because he is that good. He just needs to believe it.
