Arsenal are still weighing up whether to make a move for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, after sealing a deal for Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners have strengthened across the board this summer, adding depth and quality out wide, up front, in midfield and further back.
Gyokeres was the latest to complete his Arsenal move, joining from Sporting CP for £63 million on Saturday.
There is a feeling that the deal for the Swede could be the final incoming move that the North Londoners make this summer, although many feel an addition is still needed to bolster the left-hand side of their attack.
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Arsenal view Eberechi Eze as a ten
Arsenal would like to upgrade on Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Rodrygo, Nico Williams and Jamie Gittens this summer, all of whom could fill this role in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Eberechi Eze is now Arsenal’s top target, with Andrea Berta weighing up whether to splash in excess of £60 million on the 27-year-old.
According to Dean Jones via Flash Score, the North London club view Eze as a number ten and are unsure whether they actually need him.
Arteta already has the likes of Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri at his disposal, while Max Dowman is developing nicely underneath them.
If Eze were to arrive, his minutes as an advanced right or left eight are likely to be limited, with Arteta usually only deploying one of Odegaard or Nwaneri in his team.
While many believe Eze could play off the left, this is seemingly not a belief held by Berta and Arteta, which will surely deter the Gunners’ chances of landing him.
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Eberechi Eze’s potential move to Arsenal could cause trouble for Martin Odegaard
Odegaard struggled at times last season for Arsenal.
The Gunners’ interest in Eze may derive from Odegaard’s poor form last campaign, as they look to reduce their reliance on the Norwegian.
Even if Arsenal aren’t sure where Eze fits in, the fact that they are even contemplating signing a player they view purely as a number ten is not a vote of confidence in Odegaard.
If the Palace talisman does arrive in N5, then Odegaard, who has been described as ‘tremendous‘, could see his minutes slashed.
While the playmaker still offers the creative passing that neither Nwaneri nor Eze possess, he doesn’t have the dribbling and shot-taking skills of the other two, and this could be the direction Arteta is heading in.
Given he’s the club captain and Arteta’s brain on the pitch, Odegaard won’t be going anywhere for the time being, but if Eze signs, it’ll be an imperative next 12 months for the former Real Madrid man.