Arsenal have made a bold move in the summer transfer window by opening talks with the representatives of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
The highly skilled attacking midfielder, valued at around £68 million, has emerged as a target for the Gunners as they look to strengthen their creative or left-wing options ahead of the new Premier League season.
Some Arsenal fans have passionately called for the club to launch a sensational bid for Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Rodrygo. Regarded as one of the most technically gifted young attackers in Europe, Rodrygo is seen as an ideal candidate to challenge Gabriel Martinelli for a place on Arsenal’s left wing. His pace, flair, and Champions League experience would inject even more quality into Mikel Arteta’s dynamic front line.
This growing fan demand highlights exactly why Arsenal being linked with a winger or attacking player makes perfect sense — not only to boost squad depth, but also to raise the competition and maintain attacking sharpness throughout a long season.
Eberechi Eze is a versatile attacking talent capable of playing both on the left wing and in the central attacking midfield role — a profile that fits seamlessly into Arsenal’s fluid front line. But the big question remains: is he truly worth the £68 million price tag?
While Eberechi Eze’s creativity, ball-carrying ability, and natural flair have made him a standout performer at Crystal Palace, some Arsenal fans and analysts remain cautious about his long-term fit at the club. Concerns have been raised over how such a high-profile signing could affect the development pathways of emerging talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman — two of the most exciting prospects in Arsenal’s academy.
With Dowman reportedly set for promotion to the senior squad and Nwaneri already making headlines at youth level, adding a £68 million attacking midfielder into the mix could limit opportunities for homegrown stars who are viewed as the future of the club.
Despite internal concerns at Arsenal over Eberechi Eze’s £68 million price tag and age profile, the North London giants are pushing ahead in their pursuit of the Crystal Palace playmaker. Their urgency may be driven in part by growing interest from fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have been tracking the 25-year-old England international ever since Ange Postecoglou took charge at Spurs.
In this article, we break down how Eberechi Eze would fit into Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad — depending on where he plays. If Eze is signed as a central attacking midfielder, we compare him to captain Martin Ødegaard. If he’s brought in as a left winger, we compare him directly with Gabriel Martinelli.
The key question we explore: is Eze an upgrade in either position? And more importantly — at £68 million, is he truly worth the investment?
Arsenal Begin Talks with Eze’s Representatives
Arsenal have formally approached Eberechi Eze’s representatives to discuss a potential summer move, according to a report from The Sun.
The 26-year-old England international has reportedly impressed Arsenal’s new sporting director, André Berta, who is said to have already met with Eberechi Eze’s representatives to explore the terms of a potential deal.
However, there’s still internal hesitation at Arsenal about activating his sizeable release clause — particularly for a player nearing 27 with just two years remaining on his current Crystal Palace contract.
Tottenham Also in the Race for Eze
Tottenham Hotspur, now under new head coach Thomas Frank, are also actively pursuing Eberechi Eze as they look to strengthen their attacking options following last season’s UEFA Europa League campaign. However, Spurs’ interest in the Crystal Palace star isn’t new — it dates back to the tenure of former manager Ange Postecoglou.
Determined to back their new manager in the transfer market, Tottenham view Eze as a high-impact signing capable of pushing them higher up the Premier League table. His flair, versatility, and Premier League experience make him a prime target for Spurs this summer.
Where Would Eze Fit at Arsenal?
While Eberechi Eze is primarily known for his role as an attacking midfielder, Arsenal already have Martin Ødegaard firmly established in the No. 10 position. Adding to that, academy prospect Max Dowman is expected to be promoted to the first team, while Ethan Nwaneri will be pushing for more minutes after an impressive 2024–25 campaign.
So, could Eze instead be an option to challenge Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing? It’s a possibility — especially with Arsenal also being linked to top-tier wide forwards like Nico Williams of Athletic Club and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes. There is need for more fierce competition on the left wing for Arsenal.
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With Arsenal also monitoring other top wingers in Europe, it’s worth noting that Nico Williams, another reported target, has agreed personal terms with Barcelona. The 21-year-old Spanish international is now edging closer to signing a six-year deal with the Catalan giants.
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Eberechi Eze’s Positional Stats at Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze has been a standout performer for Crystal Palace, flourishing primarily in the central attacking midfield role but also showcasing his ability to operate across multiple positions in the final third.
His positional versatility is one of the key traits that could appeal to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who values adaptable, intelligent attackers.
Here’s a breakdown of Eze’s performance across different roles in the Premier League since his debut:
- Attacking Midfielder: 61 appearances | 19 goals | 12 assists
- Left Winger: 23 appearances | 6 goals | 4 assists
- All Positions Combined: 146 Premier League games | 34 goals | 24 assists
These numbers underline Eze’s creative impact and decent goal involvement, making him one of the most versatile attacking threats currently available in the English top flight.
Eze Among the EPL’s Best Creative Midfielders
In a recent ranking by Squawka, Eze was named among the top five attacking midfielders in the Premier League for the 2024–25 season:
- Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) – 81%
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea) – 76%
- Amad Diallo (Manchester United) – 73%
- Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) – 69%
- Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) – 66%
His 2024/25 stats back up the numbers:
- 8 goals and 8 assists in 34 Premier League appearances
- 2.32 take-ons completed per 90 – top 80–95th percentile among attacking midfielders
- 3.53 shots per 90 – 95th percentile and above
Arsenal’s Focus Remains on Striker Reinforcements
While Arsenal are actively exploring a move for Eberechi Eze, the club’s top priority this summer remains securing a high-profile striker — a crucial step as the Gunners aim to compete for major European trophies in the upcoming season.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres are currently at the top of Mikel Arteta’s shortlist as Arsenal look to resolve their goal-scoring struggles. No Arsenal player managed to score more than nine Premier League goals last season — a glaring statistic that has triggered the hunt for a prolific centre-forward.
However, according to reports, Arsenal are said to prefer RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško over Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyökeres – and Gyökeres is okay being the second option for Arsenal.
Amid growing speculation, Šeško recently followed Arsenal on Instagram — a subtle online signal that could indicate his openness to the move. However, his high wage demands have reportedly become a stumbling block, putting the transfer at risk. This situation could force Arsenal to shift their focus more seriously toward Viktor Gyökeres as a strong alternative.
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Arsenal face stiff competition from Liverpool and Manchester United for Benjamin Šeško and Viktor Gyökeres respectively.
Darwin Núñez is expected to leave Anfield, while United’s new manager Rúben Amorim is eager to reunite with Gyökeres at Old Trafford, having already sidelined Marcus Rashford in his squad plans.
With Rúben Amorim looking to reshape Manchester United’s attack, Marcus Rashford has reportedly been left out of the new manager’s plans. As Arsenal and other top clubs assess the market, Rashford’s situation could have major implications for the Premier League transfer landscape.
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Arsenal’s Ongoing Transfer Business
Arsenal are actively reshaping their squad this summer. Apart from targeting Eze and a top striker, the Gunners are working on deals for:
- Martín Zubimendi (26, Real Sociedad) – Defensive Midfield
- Cristhian Mosquera (20, Valencia) – Centre-Back
- Christian Nørgaard (31, Brentford) – Midfield Cover
Notably, Real Madrid have also shown interest in Mosquera.
Eze vs Martin Ødegaard – Midfield Showdown
Given Ødegaard’s role as Arsenal’s undisputed No.10, is Eze even necessary? Here’s how the two compare statistically across their EPL careers:
| Stat | Eberechi Eze | Martin Ødegaard |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 146 | 152 |
| Goals | 34 | 34 |
| Assists | 23 | 31 |
| Minutes Played | 10,417 | 12,226 |
| Goals per Game | 0.23 | 0.22 |
| Minutes per Goal | 308 | 360 |
| Shots | 303 | 287 |
| Shooting Accuracy (%) | 52.28% | 58.11% |
| Big Chances Created | 30 | 51 |
| Passes Forward | 1,130 | 2,036 |
| Through Balls | 31 | 108 |
While Martin Ødegaard has made slightly more Premier League appearances than Eberechi Eze, both players pose a similar level of goal-scoring threat.
Statistically, Eze tends to take more shots and is more inclined to go for goal, but Ødegaard has a higher shooting accuracy — making him more efficient in front of goal.
Ødegaard also plays a safer passing game, frequently opting for backward or lateral passes to maintain possession.
However, when it comes to creativity in the final third, the Arsenal captain is miles ahead. Ødegaard consistently outperforms Eze in through balls, key passes, chance creation, and goal contributions via assists.
This creative edge is what makes Ødegaard such a vital cog in Mikel Arteta’s tactical system — and a key benchmark for any potential attacking midfield arrival like Eze.
Verdict: Eze is slightly more prolific in front of goal, but Ødegaard is far superior in passing and creativity. A £68m move for Eze, therefore, raises questions from both tactical and financial standpoints.
Eze vs Gabriel Martinelli – Left Wing Option?
If Arsenal intend to play Eze on the left wing, how does he compare to Gabriel Martinelli, the club’s regular left winger?
| Stat | Eze | Martinelli |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 146 | 161 |
| Goals | 34 | 40 |
| Assists | 23 | 20 |
| Minutes Played | 10,417 | 10,242 |
| Minutes per Goal | 308 | 257 |
| Goals Inside Box | 23 | 37 |
| Goals Outside Box | 11 | 3 |
| Big Chances Scored | 17 | 31 |
| Crosses | 410 | 422 |
| Aerial Battles Won | 57 | 82 |
While Gabriel Martinelli has featured in more matches than Eberechi Eze, the Arsenal winger holds a clear edge when it comes to goal-scoring.
Martinelli poses a greater threat in the final third, with a higher number of goals scored from inside the box — showcasing his sharp instincts in key areas.
Mikel Arteta is a firm believer in the B-A-S-I-C-S of football — with “B” standing for Boxes and “A” for Attack. In this framework, the ability to dominate the opponent’s penalty area is crucial — and in this regard, Gabriel Martinelli clearly stands out.
The Brazilian winger consistently makes intelligent runs into the box, gets into high-value scoring areas, and delivers goals from close range — a trait that aligns perfectly with Arteta’s attacking philosophy.
Interestingly, when it comes to crossing, the numbers are closer than expected. Despite playing more games and spending more time on the wing, Martinelli has only delivered 25 more crosses than Eze — sparking debate among fans about whether he should be producing significantly more in that department.
Where Martinelli really separates himself is in aerial duels — he has won 25 more aerial balls than Eze, underlining his unexpected strength in the air.
Verdict: Eze offers more in terms of creativity and playmaking. He registers more assists per game and has shown a knack for creating chances in tight spaces.
Martinelli is younger, faster, and more consistent as a left winger. He’s more direct, more aerially dominant, and finishes better inside the penalty area.
Eze brings technical flair and creativity, misses fewer big chances, and adds versatility — but at £68 million and nearing 27, he may not represent a clear upgrade on what Arsenal already have in Martinelli.
Final Word: Should Arsenal Pay £68m for Eze?
Eberechi Eze is undoubtedly talented. His numbers are solid, and his ability to glide past players and shoot from distance makes him an attractive option.
But Arsenal must consider whether investing £68 million in a 26-year-old is the best use of resources—especially when players like Ødegaard, Martinelli, and rising stars Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are already in the squad.
The Gunners’ priority remains a prolific striker, and unless Eze is available at a significantly lower fee, Arsenal might be better off reinforcing other areas of the squad.
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