With Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard all sidelined through injury, Eberechi Eze now has a real opportunity to step up at Arsenal.
Eze’s hat-trick against Tottenham seemed like it would be the moment that propelled his Emirates career forward. But things haven’t quite gone that way since then.
He hasn’t started any of Arsenal’s last nine league games, with his minutes dropping off significantly over the past few months.
Mikel Arteta’s squad is stretched thin due to injuries, and they’ll need Eze to show why the club paid £68 million to bring him in from Tottenham.
Why Eberechi Eze has to prove Andrea Berta was right
Eze now has the chance to prove himself, as he is the only fit option for Arsenal in attacking midfield.
Havertz’s injury is a big setback for Arteta’s side, especially since the German had been finding form again.
Before picking up his injury, Havertz was beginning to give Eze more competition for that number ten role. Now though, Eze finds himself back in the starting conversation by default.
Eze should start against Brentford given the lack of other options, but his recent performances haven’t exactly demanded more playing time. It wasn’t too long ago that he joined from Crystal Palace in a deal that felt like an exciting addition to Arteta’s squad.
The move happened late last summer after Andrea Berta pushed Arsenal to act quickly and beat Spurs to his signature. Still, he hasn’t quite made the impact many expected when he first arrived.
With Saka and Odegaard also out alongside Havertz for this trip to Brentford, Eze now has a real opportunity. He was outstanding against Tottenham earlier this season, and another performance like that could help earn him more regular minutes under Arteta.
Update on Kai Havertz’s fitness
According to Simon Collins, Havertz is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks with a muscle injury.
The German had been playing well, with two goals and two assists in his last four games while filling an attacking midfield role.
He was picked ahead of Eze in the most recent match, but with both him and Odegaard unavailable, Eze now has a chance to step up at the Emirates Stadium.
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