Eze's "Robbery" for Arsenal's Last Piece of the Game

Sometimes, misfortune and blessings can come together. Just ask the Arsenal fans. They were apprehensive after striker Kai Havertz was reported to have a knee injury. However, shortly thereafter, the misfortune began to be celebrated with the recruitment of midfielder Eberechi Eze and the "heist" against Tottenham Hotspur.

Only a few hours after the bad news about Havertz, Arsenal immediately made an offer for Eze to Crystal Palace. On the other hand, Tottenham has entered the finalization of Eze's transfer. According to The Athletic, the final decision rests with the player. Eze passed on Tottenham, preferring Arsenal.

The following day, Friday (22/8/2025), Eze was not included in the Crystal Palace squad to face the Europa Conference League qualifying match against Fredrikstad FK. He is reported to be undergoing a medical test with Arsenal after a total transfer agreement of 68 million pounds sterling (Rp 1.49 trillion).

The transfer process for Arsenal is lightning fast. They have overtaken the neighboring team that has been negotiating for the past few weeks. It is only natural, as "The Gunners" do not have much time. They must act quickly to respond to the potential long absence of Havertz.

Will Eze be positioned to replace Havertz as the spearhead? Clearly not. Although it may seem sudden, the England national team midfielder has actually been eyed by Arsenal since the beginning of this summer's transfer window. He is set to fill the winger position.

The transfer of Eze is hindered because Arsenal is still waiting for the sale of a winger, one of whom is Leandro Trossard. Due to Havertz's injury, Trossard, who can play in multiple positions, is needed as a backup for the center forward. Eze could also fit into Arsenal's already very crowded squad.

Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal. He's a game-changer and a perfect fit.

Eze will be the seventh player brought in by Arsenal during this transfer window. It is likely that he will also be the final signing for the team managed by Mikel Arteta. The question is, does the 27-year-old player represent the final piece that can complete the Gunners?

Paul Merson, a former Arsenal player, is convinced of this. "Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal. He is a game-changer and fits perfectly (for Arsenal). If Arsenal allows him to go to Tottenham, I would question their decision," he stated to Sky Sports.

Of the eleven positions, Arsenal's weakest point is in the left winger position. This position is filled by the Brazilian national team player, Gabriel Martinelli. In recent seasons, including in the opening match of this season against Manchester United, Martinelli has been relied upon more for his contributions on the defensive side.

Arsenal needs a more explosive and creative winger on the left side. They require balance to avoid over-relying on Bukayo Saka on the right. Eze, who contributed 14 goals and 11 assists for Crystal Palace last season, promises an improvement in quality.

Eze's greatest strength is his dribbling ability. According to data from FBref, he is listed among the top five players who successfully dribbled past opponents in the English Premier League last season (67 times). In comparison, Martinelli, who played approximately 300 minutes less, ranks 49th (33 times).

The ability to dribble is utilized to create opportunities, whether for shooting or passing. While Martinelli tends to be monotonous when in possession of the ball, Eze is very reactive and speculative. This is reflected in the number of shots he took, reaching 100 last season, the highest in both the Palace and Arsenal squads.

"Arsenal often struggles when facing visiting teams that defend with all their players. These teams aim to limit Arsenal's movement. For me, it is in those moments that Eze will be useful for Arsenal. He has the X-factor to play in tight spaces and break through low blocks," explained Merson.

Long-range shots have become Eze's secret weapon. The former player from the Arsenal academy has scored five goals from outside the penalty area since the beginning of last season. Only three players in the Premier League have been able to match this record, one of whom is MU midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Eze possesses a special ability that is not reflected in the statistics, namely decision-making. He understands the most opportune moments to pass or move into the penalty area. This is something that Martinelli lacks, as evidenced throughout the opening match.

Efficient decision-making will be very beneficial for Arteta's new system. Arsenal aims to play by relying on quick counter-attack transitions to facilitate striker Viktor Gyokeres. Meanwhile, Eze is already accustomed to this transition scheme during his time with Palace.

Despite the positive aspects, many people still question Eze's position in the 4-3-3 formation favored by Arteta. As is known, he played as a left attacking midfielder in the 3-4-2-1 formation under coach Oliver Glasner. At Arsenal, Eze is most likely to be positioned as a pure winger.

The position should not be a major issue. Eze indeed shines more in a central position, but he has also frequently been assigned as a winger when playing for Palace and the national team. Moreover, Arsenal's attacking approach on the left side has also slightly changed.

In the match against Manchester United, Martinelli often attacked in more central half-spaces. The flanks were mostly left to full-back Ricardo Calafiori. This allowed Martinelli to exploit Gyokeres's gravity on opposing defenders.

Last season, Arsenal were criticized for playing too monotonously. That image seems set to change with the arrival of Eze. As he stated in an interview with BBC Sport in early 2025, he always wants to put on a special show for the fans.

"Why do I run while carrying the ball? Why do I try different things? Why am I creative? The reason is for the people who are watching. That is what you do for the people in the stands, how to make them stand up. That is the essence of football," he stated.

With the presence of Eze, the Arsenal squad has also become deeper. They can create two fairly balanced teams in terms of quality with the current squad. No other team in England has such depth in their squad, including Manchester City and Liverpool. (AP/REUTERS)