Sky Sports‘ Paul Merson believes the signing of Eberechi Eze can take Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
Arsenal have agreed a £67.5m deal to sign Eze after hijacking Tottenham Hotspur’s move for the Crystal Palace forward.
The Gunners will pay a guaranteed £60m plus £7.5m in add-ons for the forward, with personal terms now close to being totally agreed. Eze’s Arsenal medical could take place as soon as Friday.
Merson insists Eze moving to Arsenal is a “game-changer” with the former Gunner suggesting the England international could be a key figure in breaking down stubborn defences, particularly at Emirates Stadium.
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‘X-factor Eze can take Arsenal to title’
Merson thinks Eze can help propel Arsenal to the title
“Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal,” Merson said. “It’s a game-changer and a perfect fit.
“If Arsenal had let Spurs get him, I’d have had to question what the club was doing because he’s a quality player.
“Arsenal struggle when teams come to the Emirates and put everyone behind the ball. Teams want to limit the space Arsenal have to play in and they have struggled to break teams down with those tactics.
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Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol explains how Arsenal hijacked Tottenham Hotspur’s move for Eberechi Eze.
“We’ve seen it over the last few years where they have struggled to break teams down when it gets right to the business end of a game and the business end of a season.
“For me, that’s where Eze comes in at Arsenal,” he added. “He’s got the X-factor and in tight, tight games, he has the ability to break a low block down.
“Away from home, maybe he’s not the answer. Against the likes of Liverpool and Man City, they may come under the cosh for a bit, and they may have to play slightly differently.
Eze in training for Crystal Palace
“But that’s why you have a big squad. At home, against the lesser teams, where they have 70 to 80 per cent of the ball, let Eze go and do what he wants because he will make something happen.”
When asked if Eze can be a difference maker in Arsenal’s bid for the title, Merson said: “I think Arsenal win the league with Eze.
“They had a chance without him because it’s a real heads or tails season with Liverpool, and Man City played well on the opening weekend, but Eze help get them over the line.”
Electric Eze will unlock defences for Arsenal
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
Eberechi Eze is electric. The 27-year-old is a delight to watch with his poise and swagger on the ball and craft to open up defences, not to mention his penchant for scoring spectacular strikes himself.
He finished last season as one of the hottest prospects in the country, scoring in six games in a row, including both the FA Cup semi-final and final at Wembley as he helped inspire Crystal Palace to their first ever major honour.
Eze’s stats in the Premier League for Crystal Palace last season
Last season wasn’t all plain sailing, though. “I think Ebere has had a strange season,” said Palace boss Glasner at the end of March. “He hasn’t had many goals in the Premier League and he has been unlucky, but he keeps going. He’s also struggled with strange injuries.”
Those comments came after Eze had ignited Palace in a FA Cup tie at Fulham, scoring one and setting up another. That standout display came on the back of a first goal for England. Fit and full of confidence, Eze was back to his best during the run-in.
Eze’s heat map for Crystal Palace in the Premier League last season
It is that livewire maverick Arsenal will hope can unlock deep defences and bring a spark to their previously at-times predictable patterns of attack. He offers something completely different to Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, the current wide left options and Viktor Gyokeres will be relishing the prospect of latching onto the type of passes which have proved so productive for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
After being released by the Gunners as a 13-year-old, Eze will be motivated to seize a second chance in north London – and, in his prime, he looks set to do just that and make a big impact for Mikel Arteta.
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Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games this season
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Eberechi Eze reflects on his ambitions to win ‘everything’ following FA Cup glory with Crystal Palace.
This season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.
