Arteta’s Eze Dilemma: Can Academy Gems Save Arsenal £67.5m?

The hope is that Arsenal can have a summer transfer window which not only cements their hopes for the Premier League title next season but helps them to overcome the work done by Liverpool and Manchester City too. A tough ask but they have got off to a good start.

Three players are expected to arrive with agreements before the end of June as Arteta prepares to welcome Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Christian Norgaard. Several others are being discussed, as Cristhian Mosquera, Benjamin Sesko, and Viktor Gyokeres and their clubs are all in active discussions with sporting director Andrea Berta.

However, when it comes to other necessities, the wide forward and creative midfield are key places to add depth and competition. Martin Odegaard’s form dipped last season, and there was little to replace him after Fabio Vieira was sent on loan, and Ethan Nwaneri was used a lot in Bukayo Saka’s absence.

Eberechi Eze is a player under consideration at Arsenal, football.london understands with a keenness to join the Gunners should the club decide to activate his release clause believed to be £67.5million. However, going on the word of Mikel Arteta, a move for the likes of Eze and instead a more traditional left winger might be preferred.

Rodrygo is the other name linked to the club, likened to the deal which saw Arsenal sign Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona in 2014. Adding a world-class level winger from one of Europe’s elite would likely block the chance of getting Eze with the financial outlay needed for the deal and the required centre-forward signing.

Arteta has openly admitted to being happy with the options he has in attacking midfield. Asked by football.london’s chief Arsenal correspondent Tom Canton whether this would be an area that he may look to strengthen with Vieira having been a previous indicator that he’d like to have options, the Spaniard retorted.

“We have players that can play in that position, we have Max [Dowman] coming up as well, as you know, very soon as well. So I think we are good in that position.”

Interesting to note the fact that 15-year-old Max Dowman, who is yet to make a senior appearance for the Gunners, blocked due to legislation around young players, was name-checked by Arteta. The Arsenal coach has been outspoken on Dowman and clearly the club are set to see him play for the side in pre-season and into the campaign.

Nwaneri, too, is certainly an option, and if the club add another winger who will add more depth on either flank, the England under-21 international may instead be able to focus more centrally. Time will tell, but Eze remains a very good option for multiple roles not just the competitor needed at senior level for Odegaard.

Football.london