Arsenal have signed a participant who can rob the ten shirt from Eze

When Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, it was one thing of a fairy story.

Eze has been open about the best way during which he was rejected by the Gunners as a baby. He cried in his room after listening to the information.

So, when the chance arose to rejoin the membership simply over a yr in the past, he took it with each arms.

Eze rejected Spurs and determined to move to the Emirates Stadium as a substitute. Paraded in entrance of followers together with his dishevelled denims flowing within the wind, he additionally wore a beaming smile. This was the happiest man on this planet.

But, regardless of successful a Premier League title, the attacker’s keep in north London hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.

Why Eze has struggled at Arsenal

Eze arrived in Islington in August 2025 extremely regarded. This was one of many Premier League’s best attacking midfielders and he was set to deliver a complete heap of targets and assists to Mikel Arteta’s facet.

In reality, the England worldwide has not been a horrible signing. He ended final season with ten targets and 5 assists in all competitions.

But for a participant who price £67m, you’d anticipate much more. 5 of these targets got here in two memorable wins over Spurs, and for that, supporters will perpetually be grateful. He’ll at all times be a cult hero.

Sadly, that stage of efficiency has not been constant and it is landed him in scorching water with Arteta.

The Spaniard hasn’t at all times trusted Eze and it’s important to return to a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in final December to understand why.

The previous Palace man was introduced off at half-time in that one after failing to trace Matty Money’s run within the build-up to Villa’s opener. It took Eze some time to get again in Arteta’s good books.

Whereas he did begin the following recreation at dwelling to Wolves, he lasted simply 57 minutes. The large-money signing was then an unused sub throughout the following 4 league matches.

He did not begin one other Premier League recreation till February vs Brentford, the place, coincidentally, he was withdrawn at half-time once more. In all, it was an underwhelming first season for a participant who, on his day, might be so magical to observe.

Why it is time for Arsenal to exchange Eze

After successful the Premier League, this was the time for Arsenal to make an announcement within the switch window.

They did so by signing midfielder Bruno Guimaraes for £75m from Newcastle however past that, there wasn’t an terrible lot of pleasure, actually compared to the earlier summer time.

The Gunners have been formidable of their efforts to deliver Vinicius Junior to the Emirates however he in the end ended up staying at Actual Madrid. Julian Alvarez was the topic of Arsenal curiosity but additionally stayed within the Spanish capital. One other goal in Morgan Rogers ended up at Chelsea.

Reuters/Paul Childs

Consequently, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard shifting on, Eze has been used as one among their replacements alongside summer time arrival Christos Tzolis.

Sadly for Eze, his new Greek teammate has outperformed him. Tzolis is but to attain however he does have 4 assists already. Eze, by the use of comparability, solely has one help. He is not discovered the web both.

The easy truth is that the 28-year-old isn’t a winger. His finest work has at all times are available a extra central place. That tally of 14 targets and 12 assists throughout his remaining yr at Selhurst Park have been as an attacking midfielder.

But, with Martin Odegaard now again to his finest, he is not going to have the ability to play in his favoured function. It is time to transfer on.

Arsenal have a future Eze alternative arriving

There have been moments of pleasure in Eze’s Arsenal profession. That hat-trick in opposition to Spurs won’t ever be forgotten.

The difficulty is that there are actually a number of obstacles in his means, not least Odegaard and Tolis, but additionally younger Max Dowman.

{The teenager} was electrical in opposition to Ipswich City in his solely begin of 2026/27, scoring twice at Portman Highway. Eze did provide his opener in that one, however there wasn’t a lot to it. All he needed to do was lay the ball off to Dowman who did the remainder.

But, Dowman isn’t the one thrilling younger attacking midfielder who’s going to trigger Eze issues. In early September, Arsenal introduced that that they had agreed a deal to signal Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili.

Simply 17, the Gunners have reached a pre-contract settlement with the teenager. He’ll formally signal in the summertime of 2027.

So, why’s he rated so extremely? Why is he going to trigger points for Eze?

Nicely, at first, he is a tough little ahead, somebody able to not simply enjoying as a quantity 10 but additionally as a left winger or proper winger. His heritage has already seen comparisons drawn to fellow Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, however regardless of the rolled-down socks and spectacular dribbling means, there’s one other footballing icon he is extra much like.

Within the phrases of Georgian soccer professional Saba Sapanadze who spoke to Soccer.London, “stylistically, Khvicha and Andria are very totally different gamers.”

Sapanadze defined: “Khvicha is a pure winger, a lot faster, with lengthy, highly effective strides. Andria operates extra centrally, behind the striker, and one among his greatest strengths is his means to interrupt via midfield from central areas. By way of type, I’d examine him extra to Kevin De Bruyne.”

There’s additionally a little bit of Alvarez to him. The Argentine is a centre-forward by commerce however he is additionally extraordinarily versatile. He is a hybrid ahead, if you’ll. Like Bartishvili, he can function up prime, as a second striker or off the flanks. It is that malleable nature that made Arsenal pursue Alvarez so onerous in the summertime. It is the identical malleable nature that makes this younger Georgian such an eye catching signing.

Simply 5 foot 7, Bartishvili might want to bulk up a bit to make an impression within the Premier League however he is such an thrilling younger participant. He is arguably among the best youngsters in European soccer proper now.

Regardless of his age, he’s already making a mighty positive impression within the Georgian top-flight with Iberia 1999. The teenager has scored twice and registered two assists in 893 minutes of league motion this time period.

Given the amount of soccer he is already performed at that stage, this isn’t a signing for the academy; this can be a signing with the primary crew very a lot in thoughts.

Very like Eze, the Georgian is a real maverick. When he will get on the ball, his first thought is about driving ahead; it is about making issues occur.

Alongside Dowman, Arsenal are set to boast two of probably the most proficient youngsters on the continent. For Eze, that is unhealthy information. Each gamers have the potential to take the well-known quantity 10 shirt away from him.