Eberechi Eze is presented to the Arsenal fans at the Emiratesplaceholder image
Eberechi Eze is presented to the Arsenal fans at the Emirates | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
How Mikel Arteta could line up his starting XI now Eberechi Eze has arrived at the club.
Arsenal have been busy this transfer window and added latest recruit Eberechi Eze to the squad with a bang.
They swooped in and snubbed arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur for the England international, making him their seventh new signing of the summer. Eze was brought out in front of the Emirates faithful ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Leeds United. His arrival takes Arsenal’s spending past the £260 million mark.
Eze will be eligible to make his Arsenal debut this weekend against Premier League champions Liverpool. Fans are expecting to see him slot straight into the starting 11, but how will Mikel Arteta opt to set up moving forward now the 27-year-old is in the mix?
How will Eberechi Eze fit into Arsenal’s starting XI?
Arsenal have made some impressive signings this summer but of course, not all of them will be handed regular roles. The arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga, for example, will provide healthy depth for Arteta but David Raya will keep his starting role moving forwards.
Both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori are in contention for the starting left-back role but the latter may be given the edge, for now at least, after a strong performance against Manchester United. Calafiori was also the difference between a draw and a win against the Red Devils, thanks to his early goal.
There’s a similar debate about the right-back spot, with Jurrien Timber and Ben White both in the picture. But with Timber starting the most games last season, plus his stunning outing against Leeds with two goals and an assist, he takes the right-back role here moving forwards.
Calafiori and Timber will play next to the centre-back pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba, who have formed a formidable partnership in defence for Arsenal.
Where will Eberechi Eze play for Arsenal?
Eze’s goal and assist tally last season wasn’t the only attractive trait about him. The 27-year-old is versatile and can offer Arteta a number of options when it comes to formation.
Eze can feasibly play as a No.8 or No.10 for the Gunners but he also offers an option out wide on the left as well. The England star will offer competition for Gabriel Martinelli, as Arsenal look to take their threat as an attacking side to the next level.
Martinelli was a regular started last season but fans have become frustrated with his lack of consistency, which could see him replaced by Eze.
Arsenal scored 69 goals in the Premier League last season, 17 less than champions Liverpool. With Eze on the left, Bukayo Saka on the right and Viktor Gyokeres leading the line, the threat in front of goal will play an integral part in their title pursuit. Gyokeres is off the mark with his goalscoring and fans are excited to see his form continue.
The front three will be fed by Martin Odegaard, who will continue to join Declan Rice in midfield. Rice enjoyed a superb 2024/25 season with the Gunners and will be nailed on for Arteta this time round too. New signing Martin Zubimendi has played every minute in the first two Premier League games, and we can expect to see him keep his slot moving forward.
Predicted Arsenal starting XI: David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres.
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