Arsenal and Crystal Palace meet on Sunday, and Adam Wharton thinks he knows how he can quash the threat of his former teammate Eberechi Eze.
After his £67.5m move to the Emirates, Theo Walcott claimed Eze will ‘unlock everything’ for Arsenal.
The 27-year-old has become an instant starter in North London, scoring one and assisting three in 10 appearances.
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Arsenal are delighted by Eze’s start, and he’s expected to feature when Adam Wharton’s Crystal Palace make the trip across the capital on Sunday.
Eberechi Eze during Fulham v Arsenal - Premier League
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
Adam Wharton on stopping Eberechi Eze
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the fixture, Wharton highlighted what the Eagles will need to do to neutralise their former player.
He said: “It would be tough, obviously. I’ve trained with him many times now and played with him so I know how good he can be.
“Maybe just have to get into him a bit. Yeah, see if he’s up for the challenge. Yeah, it would be good to obviously see him again and play against him, but yeah, I think like for players like that for me, I just sort of try and I’d let him make the first move.
“Obviously played against him so many times, he sort of wants you to dangle that foot in.
“But yeah, I think if I stand just let him have it and try let him make the first move and I can react off that. I think that’s probably my best bet.”
Wharton is not the only Premier League star well aware of Eze’s quality.
Eberechi Eze compared to leading European playmaker
Before losing the now Arsenal man, Crystal Palace sold Michael Olise to Bayern Munich.
While Olise has been impressive in Germany, Fulham’s Josh King compared Eze to another Bayern star.
He said: “Eze is one where I watch and think technically on the ball, he’s so clean. He’s so good with it.
“Players like [Jamal] Musiala as well – he’s someone who I look up to.
“He can turn and drive forward and score goals and assist. Those two stick out to me. I want to get people off their feet and excite them.”
High praise for the Gunners ace, who has thrived on the back of Martin Odegaard’s injury issues, which has limited the Norwegian to just one 90-minute outing in the Premier League this term.