Sunderland v Newcastle United - Premier League
Arsenal should be using Eberechi Eze more after his derby heroics, says Freddie Ljungberg (Picture: Getty)
Freddie Ljungberg questioned Mikel Arteta’s handling of Eberechi Eze following Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Tottenham, calling for the midfielder to be given more starts going forward.
It proved another dream derby day for Arsenal’s £67.5million summer signing from Crystal Palace, three months on for his hat-trick heroics in the reverse fixture at the Emirates.
The England international made the breakthrough for the Gunners towards the end of the first half, only for Randal Kolo Muani to make it all square just two minutes later at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But Viktor Gyokeres restored Arsenal’s advantage just moments after the break and Eze capitalised on some poor Spurs defending to increase the deficit on the hour-mark, capping off a fine individual performance.
With the hosts coming up short in search of a response, Arsenal made sure to well and truly put the game to bed at the death – and it was Gyokeres who made it four with a composed strike in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The result saw Arsenal move five points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with ten games remaining of the season. Arteta’s men will look to pick up where they left off when return to action at home to Chelsea in a week’s time.
Igor Tudor’s Tottenham, meanwhile, are hovering just four points above the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham next Sunday afternoon.
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Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
Eze has scored five goals in his last two games against Spurs (Picture: Getty)
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
The Gunners finished the weekend five points clear at the top (Picture: Getty)
‘He had that belief and I’m really happy with him,’ Arteta said of Eze’s eye-catching showing in the derby.
‘He’s really trying to mold and adapt into what we want from him.’
On Arsenal’s statement victory, the Spaniard added: ‘I’m really happy, really proud about how we approached the game.
Arsenal back in charge of the title race
A huge win for Arsenal puts them five points clear at the top of the Premier League table and they remain favourites to win the title, despite recent wobbles.
Spurs are not the toughest team in the league to play against, but the Gunners were threatening and potent again after looking blunt of late.
They should have been well ahead at the break and it was only an odd Declan Rice error which meant the game was level. Mikel Arteta’s men remained calm and kept coming, getting their rewards.
The pressure has been building, but Arsenal have eased it with the result and performance, both of which were excellent.
The link-up between Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka was really impressive at Spurs and if Arteta can get those two firing on a regular basis then few defences will be able to handle them.
It is curious that Eze has scored five of his six Premier League goals this season against Spurs and has not really sparkled much outside of the derbies, but clearly he has a lot more to offer in this title race.
There are twists and turns to come before anyone lifts the Premier League trophy, but the gloom hanging over Arsenal since Wolves has been lifted.
It will be another high intensity affair next time out as Arsenal host Chelsea.
‘The initiative and the quality we showed to come here and win the game in the way that we did.
‘That is the beauty of football. When you look back at the game against Wolves, how did we draw that game from there? I was out with them every day and I know how much they want it.
‘This is the Premier League, it will go all the way for sure. Ten games in the Premier League is a long way.’
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal - Premier League
It was an emphatic response from Arsenal after their capitulation at Wolves in the week (Picture: Getty)
Viaplay’s punditry panel of Peter Schmeichel, Jaap Stam and Ljungberg- who boast a combined total of ten Premier League titles – waxed lyrical about Eze’s display as they analysed Arsenal’s victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
‘He’s such an elegant player. He’s actually a really beautiful player to watch,’ ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Schmeichel said.
‘He’s one of those players that you want to pay to come and watch him play.
Aston Villa v Manchester United - Premier League
Eze is a ‘beautiful’ player to watch, says Manchester United legend Schmeichel (Picture: Getty)
‘Arsenal haven’t got many of those players, but him, it’s brilliant when he’s on that kind of form.’
On Eze, Ljungberg added: ‘He’s so ingrained from being at Palace, you have to always create something: you have a chance, you have to make something.
‘He does that here and I think they should use him more than they do.’
Former Manchester United and Netherlands defender Stam, meanwhile, believes Eze’s X-factor qualities gave Arsenal something different that they often lack in the final third.
‘It must be a nightmare to play against him. If you see him move, he’s taking up great positions and he’s so comfortable on the ball,’ he said.
‘He knows what to do and he also has a clear understanding of what his team-mates are doing as well.
‘He knows them and, with his one-touch football, he can find them. From there, he creates spaces for his team-mates but also for himself.
‘It’s always nice when you’re playing in a team with those types of players because it gives you so much extra, so much quality technically, but, also, the goalscoring performances that he’s putting out… it’s great to see that.’
Will Arsenal go on and win the Premier League title?
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