Mikel Merino says Eberechi Eze’s talent was obvious in the Arsenal dressing room long before Sunday’s hat-trick against Sp*rs, describing the midfielder as a “massive signing” for the club.
The England international’s man-of-the-match display in the North London derby took his goal-involvement tally to eight for the season (five goals, three assists) in 18 games, but Merino says it’s Eze’s graft and team-first intelligence that have really caught the eye.
With Martin Odegaard battling shoulder and knee issues this season, Eze has been absorbing the nuances of the No.10 role in Mikel Arteta’s system while adding his own flavour along the way.
“He is very complete,” Merino told The Athletic. “He can dribble, he can pass the ball. He has one very good thing, we say in Spain: associating with each other.
“In Spain, we are born and we are raised with this talent of playing with each other, passing the ball and connecting.
“He is also mentally driven to passing the ball and sharing the game but at the same time he can dribble and is very strong. He can shoot and is really complete. An amazing signing.”
In his post-game press conference, Arteta praised Eze’s choice to skip a post-Interlull day off to return straight to training, saying that mentality – combined with his personality – brings “an aura” to the team.
Merino agrees the 27-year-old has been a joy to have around, highlighting their morning chats in the London Colney sauna as proof of his relaxed, confident demeanour.
It’s clear he’d made an impression long before the goals flowed at the weekend.
“Now everyone judges players in terms of goals and assists – numbers. It is what it is, but as football players, we know that he [Eze] is providing the team with a lot of quality and a lot of good movements, technically.
“In training sessions, you know how good he is. So yes, goals came [on Sunday], but he is an unbelievable player and we are lucky to have him. He can play in different positions and adapt to different styles. It was a massive signing for Arsenal.”
Eze’s adaptability is likely to prove important in the weeks ahead as Arteta looks to reintegrate Odegaard, who is close to full fitness again. In the Norwegian’s last league appearance – the win over West Ham in October – the pair started in front of Declan Rice, a setup Arsenal may well revisit against teams sitting in a low block.
As the side continues to evolve and broaden its attacking armoury, the prospect of Eze and Odegaard dovetailing feels like an avenue well worth exploring.