Arsenal have put Eberechi Eze right at the top of their summer shopping list after a lucrative window but the Crystal Palace star’s arrival could do more damage than good for the Gunners
Daniel has been with The Mirror since April 2022. Before that, he worked in local media with Reach publication football.london. He graduated with a first class degree in Football Journalism from the University of Derby. Subscribe to The Post Horn Gallop newsletter: https://theposthorngallop.substack.com/
Eberechi Eze
Arsenal don't actually need Eberechi Eze(Image: Getty Images)
Simply put, Eberechi Eze is a sensational footballer. An 11-time England international, he’s just the type of eye-catching winger that Arsenal have been screaming out for for years.
But the question remains over whether the Gunners actually need the Crystal Palace star. A potential £68m signing, Eze would justifiably expect to be a near ever-present should he swap Selhurst Park for the Emirates.
The only issue is that his arrival could potentially do more damage than good - particularly to the Gunners’ most promising young stars. Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri have emerged as two of the most exciting young talents from Hale End over recent seasons.
Nwaneri has been on the first-team fringes over the past few campaigns, scoring nine goals last season across an impressive breakout year. Dowman in the meantime shone during Arsenal’s pre-season campaign, so much so that fans were tipping him to be the natural successor to Lionel Messi.
Those sorts of suggestions are far too early for the 15-year-old but he certainly has promise and needs regular football to continue that development. The same is true of Nwaneri.
It would be a real shame to see the pair’s progress halted by falling down the pecking order in North London following the arrival of Eze. Loans would fix the issue but there is no guarantee of success, meaning the Emirates might be the ideal place for both Nwaneri and Dowman for the time being.
Rio Ferdinand has already warned Arteta that he risks losing his promising stars if they're not used correctly - and he’s not wrong. It's happened before with Chido Obi Martin and Ayden Heaven. Speaking recently, the Manchester United icon said: “Ethan Nwaneri, I think he’s a ridiculous talent.
“The only thing I’m worried about is that these two boys play in the same position as Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. The problem Arsenal have is that if these two young boys don’t get enough minutes, they could start getting itchy feet.
Max Dowman
Max Dowman caught the eye on Arsenal's pre-season tour
“Maybe people around them start getting into their head and patience wears thin - you risk losing them. I think they’re ready to be dipped in a lot more than we saw last season, especially Nwaneri because he’s had that year of adaptation to the first team. I think he’s got great talent but Dowman excites me on another level. This kid is different.”
Away from the club’s brightest stars, Eze’s arrival could also bloat the squad. Arteta’s side already have the irrepressible Bukayo Saka on the right flank and he is not going anywhere any time soon. They’ve also added Noni Madueke this summer, while already having Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz for the forward positions.
It leaves Eze with little space or opportunity to force himself into contention for the North London side. It’s a warning that has been echoed by ex-Arsenal star Mikael Silvestre.
Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed a standout breakout campaign last season
He said: "Eberechi Eze to Arsenal? I don't think it'd be good for him, to be honest, because there is a lot of competition and because he has so much joy and freedom at Crystal Palace.
"Going to Arsenal would, I think, be difficult because of the competition for places. But I like him a lot. Since his early days, he has been terrific. It’s a shame he's had quite a lot of muscle injuries and he's missed some parts of the season. But whenever he's fit and ready, he is a top player."
One potential solution would be to station Eze out on the left which would allow him to cut in on his right foot. But that would arguably not be getting the best out of him. So it might be best for Arsenal to stick with the options they already have despite the sensational footballer Eze is.
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