Arsenal stayed in touch with Premier League leaders Manchester City over the weekend but there is still room for improvement for the title holders
Mikel Arteta during Arsenal vs Lille
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team have been grinding out results this season(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal go into Wednesday's Champions League match against Bayern Munich having stopped themselves falling further adrift in the Premier League standings. The Gunners won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest to stay just three points behind league leaders Manchester City and now have a chance to go three for three in Europe.
Things have felt a bit too close for comfort at times. Four of the Gunners' six league wins have come by a single goal - including their last two - while a second-half goal from Martin Odegaard settled their away Champions League opener at Napoli.
A number of members of the London side's squad have blown hot and cold this term but the profile of the club means there will often be attention on one or two stars. That has proved the case of late, with Eberechi Eze the latest to face questions.
We've got a bit more on Eze for you today, as well as an update on a player linked with both Arsenal and one of their Premier League rivals. Here are our latest lines from north London.
Arteta's Eze problem identified
Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew fears Eze can't provide what Mikel Arteta wants from a No. 10 or from a left winger. Pardew suggested the former Crystal Palace star - withdrawn for match-winner Noni Madueke at half-time on Sunday - might have to settle for a role as an impact sub going forward.
"In certain games, against lesser opposition, Eze will be given that No. 10 position," Pardew told talkSPORT. "But I've seen him on that left side for Crystal Palace a few times and it's just not him.
Ebere Eze during Arsenal's win at Nottingham Forest
Eze failed to impress in his 45 minutes for Arsenal against Forest(Image: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
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"He's never going to go down the left hand side and whip crosses in, he wants to come and play centrally. He's going to make the game too narrow and therefore you've not got enough width, so it's a problem.
"Arteta took him off rightly, in my opinion, as it just wasn't working. In the first instance though, perhaps he shouldn't have started him there, and used him as an impact as a No. 10.
"And I think that will be his role at Arsenal, if they need a goal. I don't think Eze is going to be a starter for Arsenal, I think he's a sub and if they need a moment, then the manager can give him the last 10-15 minutes of games."
Araujo talk on the back burner
Maxi Araujo playing for Sporting CP
Maxi Araujo has been linked with a Premier League move(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Arsenal and Premier League rivals Manchester United have both been linked with Sporting CP star Maxi Araujo in recent months. However, according to Sport Witness, neither team has stepped up their interest since failing to tempt the Uruguayan away from Lisbon over the summer.
This is despite rumours on the continent of a £55million bid for the player being on the horizon. That would represent a significant profit on a player signed from Mexican side Toluca in 2024 but the latest reports look to be wide of the mark.
Araujo, who can play at left-back or on the left of midfield, signed a contract extension in August which will keep him in Portugal until 2030. He has one goal and two assists to his name this term but plays further forward for his country and has scored five in his last six outings for Uruguay.
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