Arsenal playmaker Eberechi Eze had a solid performance during England’s 3-0 Nations League win over Czechia at Wembley Stadium yesterday.
The 28-year-old has yet to start a Premier League game for Arsenal this campaign, but remains a key player in the Three Lions squad under manager Thomas Tuchel.
Eze had previously made two substitute appearances in the Nations League group stage, and he played the full 90 minutes during the victory over Czechia last night.
He started on the left wing ahead of Anthony Gordon and moved into the number 10 position during the closing stages of the game after Jude Bellingham was subbed off.
Eze did not make a direct goal contribution of any form, but he was good in several facets. He completed 44 out of 48 passes (92% accuracy) from 68 touches on the night.
The Arsenal ace won an impressive nine duels, completed four dribbles and induced three fouls from Czechia. Eze had three blocked shots but put in a good shift in a rare start on England duty.
One downside of his performance was his reduced intensity. Ideally, Eze should be more mobile on the pitch as a left winger compared to operating in the number 10 slot.
With Christos Tzolis out with a hamstring injury for the next few weeks, Eze looks poised to start on the left wing for Arsenal when they host Leeds United in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Eze has played second fiddle to Tzolis in the top-flight this campaign, and his starts have come in the Carabao Cup and Champions League. He should finally get his maiden league start of the season.
Manager Mikel Arteta has personally backed him in the role by saying he is ‘very comfortable‘, and the onus is on the former Crystal Palace man to make it count with goal contributions.
Eze is primed to start on the left wing in Tzolis’ absence, but he can’t take things for granted as Arteta could still utilise Noni Madueke, though he is not a natural in the attacking position either.
Another solution is to play Saka on the left wing with Madueke or Max Dowman on the right, but we don’t expect that, given the former has established himself as a right-wing specialist over the years.
Stats from Sofascore.com