Mikel Arteta shall be hoping Eberechi Eze is the ultimate piece of his puzzle having overseen a report breaking Arsenal switch window.
The Gunners have confirmed the signing of the 27-year-old from Crystal Palace for an preliminary £60million – plus £7.5m in potential add-ons.
5
Eze had seemed set to hitch Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hospur having been recognized as Thomas Frank’s primary goal.
However Arsenal hijacked the deal on the eleventh hour, with the versatile attacking midfielder solely having eyes on an emotional return to his boyhood membership.
Eze joined the membership’s academy as an eight-year-old, earlier than he was launched aged 13 – resulting in him crying in his room for per week.
However these tears of disappointment have turned to tears of pleasure having sealed a dream transfer again to Arsenal to grow to be their seventh signing of the summer season.
Eze, who has been handed the No. 10 shirt, additionally acquired to bask within the adulation of the Gunners trustworthy as he was paraded across the Emirates Stadium previous to Arsenal’s 5-0 mauling of Leeds United on Saturday.
His arrival at London Colney signifies that Arsenal have now eclipsed the £208.6m (together with add-ons) they spent throughout the 2023 summer season window – their earlier report haul on incomings.
Who’ve Arsenal signed this summer season?
Arsenal have now splashed out £276.2m, with Eze being their largest signing when taking potential add-ons into consideration.
The north London outfit forked out an preliminary £55m plus £8.7m in add-ons to Sporting Lisbon to safe the companies of Viktor Gyokeres.
Martin Zubimendi price £55m from Actual Sociedad, with Noni Madueke linking up from Chelsea in a deal rising to £52m.
Cristhian Mosquera was additionally snapped up in a bundle deal price round £18m from Valencia, with Arsenal agreeing an preliminary £10m plus £5m in add-ons to signal Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
5
Eberechi Eze to Arsenal timeline
And Arsenal additionally paid Chelsea £5m to signal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Following what has been a busy summer season on the Emirates, confidence is rising amongst Gooners that this may very well be the season the place they lastly win a primary Premier League title since 2004.
Arsenal have completed in second spot of their final three campaigns, and they are going to be hoping their new additions will lastly get them over the road having addressed their key considerations when it comes to particular positions and squad depth.
However there are query marks remaining as to how Eze will match into Arteta’s aspect and the place he’ll play.
With that in thoughts, talkSPORT.com has taken a take a look at the 2 methods during which Eze may slot into the line-up.
How will Arsenal line-up within the 2025/26 season?
With back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards in his trophy cupboard, David Raya is sort of sure to deputise between the sticks as the primary alternative.
A centre-back pairing will see William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes proceed their formidable partnership, with Arteta more likely to rotate in full-back positions.
5
Regardless of left-back Riccardo Calafiori and right-back Ben White beginning within the opening day win at Manchester United, Arteta may revert again to his favoured backline from final season, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurien Timber slotting in as a substitute.
Shifting into the center of the pitch, and Martin Zubimendi would be the No.6 going ahead, although Eze might discover it exhausting to fit in as certainly one of Arsenal’s box-to-box midfielders.
Whereas Eze usually performs as an attacking midfielder, he’s unlikely to begin forward of skipper Martin Odegaard.
And club-record signing Declan Rice is considered unstoppable by Arteta, that means Eze will solely get in entrance of the duo in midfield if one of many two is injured, struggling for kind or it being a rotation technique.
Eze is extra more likely to function on the left wing forward of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who’ve been tormented by inconsistent performances within the final yr.
Bukayo Saka will preserve his place on the other flank, with Gyokeres to spearhead the assault as he goals to silence his critics who’ve claimed he is not going to be a prolific goalscorer in England’s top-flight.
5
Such is Arsenal’s unbelievable depth now, Arteta has the posh in having the ability to make a number of adjustments to his line-up.
The total-back positions will seemingly be rotated all through the season, whereas Norgaard can be greater than an ample stand-in for Zubimendi.
A change in midfield may see Eze function in a free-roaming position forward of Odegaard, with Kai Havertz to probably play as a No.8 as soon as he recovers from damage.
With Saka more likely to be given relaxation at sure factors to maintain him recent, Madueke is the plain candidate to interchange him.
Ought to Eze get minutes in midfield, Martinelli would then step again into the workforce at left wing, with Gyokeres to maintain his place up high.
5
