At a Glance:
Diego Simeone should be worried if Eberechi Eze starts.
Eze could start in Arsenal’s upcoming game against Atletico Madrid.
Jurrien Timber’s advice to the Arsenal midfielder.
Eberechi Eze was brought on as an impact substitute in the 1-1 draw between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Eze was bright against Atletico Madrid, with the Englishman looking unfazed by the occasion. The 27-year-old fearlessly drove with the ball, tried to find runners and settle the contest.
Considering the FA Cup winner featured very briefly against the Spanish giants, he is still a relatively unknown commodity for Diego Simeone and his side.
With Eze looking the part against Fulham as well, he could be the joker in the Gunners’ trump card to beat this Atletico Madrid side.
Arsenal star Eberechi Eze could cause Atletico Madrid huge problems
Eze is a match-winner and considering Atletico Madrid have never experienced facing him for a full 90 minutes, he could be exactly the kind of player who could tilt the game in Arsenal’s favour.
Despite not having the finest of debut seasons in N17, the former Crystal Palace midfielder has shown a knack of turning a game on its head. Be it his winning goal against Palace or against Bayer Leverkusen or the recent screamer against Newcastle United, Eze can change a game at the drop of the hat.
Myles Lewis-Skelly could start against Atletico Madrid and cause plenty of problems for their potential midfield pairing of Johnny Cardoso and Koke; something Eze could do as well due to being an excellent ball-carrier, an incredible shooter from range and an incisive passer in the final third.
One of the reasons why Arsenal probably signed their former academy graduate in the first place is because he is a maverick. Not only does Eze have the quality to score his gorgeous volley against Bayer Leverkusen but also the mentality to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Moments often define knockout games in Europe’s elite competition, as exemplified by Thierry Henry’s wonder-goal against Real Madrid in the first leg of the semi-final in 2006.
Eberechi Eze in the Champions League Statistics
Starts 8
Goals 1
Assists 2
All statistics correct as of 05/05/2026
While Eze’s record in the Champions League (one goal and two assists) is not the best yet, Diego Simeone will be racking his brain to find a solution to solve a difference-maker like the silky technician.
Eberechi Eze needs to take Jurrien Timber’s advice against Atletico Madrid
Jurrien Timber advised Eze to take as many shots as possible, considering the latter is a brilliant finisher.
“I’ve told you so many times, if I could finish like you, I’d shoot every day bro. Every moment.”
If Eze takes Timber’s advice on board and tests Jan Oblak on multiple occasions, he could potentially be Arsenal’s match-winner against Atletico Madrid.
Srinivas Sadhanand
Srinivas Sadhanand is a writer for Read Arsenal and Read Man City, with over eight years of experience as a sports journalist. He has worked for established companies such as GRV Media, The Economic Times, Urban Pitch and Sportskeeda among several others. From interview athletes to writing detailed tactical pieces and covering the impact streetwear and music in football, he has many strings to his bow as a journalist. Being a lifelong Manchester City fan, he specialises in writing about them and the Premier League in particular. Away from the desk, he loves watching European football, cricket, films, listening to music and exploring new foods.
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