Arsenal playmaker Eberechi Eze stepped up with a fantastic performance during the 2-2 Champions League draw against Bayern Munich on the road yesterday.
The Gunners had an early setback at the Allianz Arena as Bukayo Saka picked up a quadriceps injury.
This paved the way for Eze to replace him in the 10th minute. The 28-year-old came on the left wing with Noni Madueke moving to the right. He produced a memorable performance.
The Englishman broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a fine strike. Martin Odegaard delivered a sublime long ball towards Eze, who unleashed a left-footed shot beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Bayern came back with goals from Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane (penalty), but midfielder Declan Rice scored a brilliant goal of his own to share the spoils against the German side.
Rice was lauded for his fantastic equaliser, with Steven Gerrard saying that he is ‘world-class‘.
However, Eze was equally good on the night. The former Crystal Palace man had a forgettable outing on the left wing at Nottingham Forest, where he was almost non-existent in the opening half.
He was rightfully substituted at the break for Madueke, who scored a late winner at the City Ground. Eze was dropped from the XI yesterday but made a huge impact off the bench after Saka’s injury.
Aside from his goal, he completed 19 out of 22 passes attempted with 41 touches. He won nine duels, completed three dribbles, and showed more intensity on the pitch than in his dismal Forest showing.
Manager Mikel Arteta was really impressed by him after the 2-2 draw. He said that the versatile playmaker had a ‘great game’ and was pleased with his overall output beyond the goal.
He told Arsenal.com: “I thought Ebs had a great game, not just the goal but his actions, overall performance and without the ball as well.”
With Saka set to be sidelined for a while, we can fully expect Eze to reclaim a starting spot when the Gunners host Everton in Saturday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
Max Dowman played a big role in the 2-0 win over the Toffees earlier this year with a goal and a fantastic cross, but the 16-year-old is a right winger. He could come on for Madueke if required.
Stats from Sofascore.com