Arsenal legend Paul Merson has urged his former club to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer, backing the Gunners’ pursuit of the versatile forward as a potential game changer that will tranform their attack.
After finishing second in the last three Premier League campaigns, the Gunners have been very busy this summer to bolster the squad and finally win big silverware next season.
Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to get a deal done for Eberechi Eze, with the Sky Sports pundit outlining exactly how the Crystal Palace attacking midfielder will enhance Mikel Arteta’s side, with the former Gunners star also sharing his concern about Noni Madueke.
Eze is one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League and was on the books of Arsenal as a youngster before he was let go. After establishing himself in English football at Queens Park Rangers, the 27-year-old moved to Palace in 2020 and has gone from strength to strength at the Eagles since then.
Arsenal have made Eze one of their top targets in the summer transfer window and are willing to offer two players to Palace to complete a deal.
Arteta wants to bolster the left side of his attack, and while Eze played predominantly as an attacking midfielder for Palace last season, the England international has operated as a left-winger before.
According to sources close to the matter as reported by Softfootball, Eze has a release clause of £68million in his contract at Palace.
Former Arsenal star Merson is a huge fan of Eze, and believes that the north London club have to sign the attacker, who scored eight goals and gave eight assists in 31 Premier League starts for Palace last season.
Merson ripped Arsenal and Mikel Arteta apart for their decision to sign Madueke, stating that he lacks consistency and isn’t worth the approximately £52m they paid.
He argues that Madueke would serve only as a backup option. His best position is on the right flank, and he isn’t expected to replace Bukayo Saka in that role.
However, he backs Arsenal’s pursuit of Eze and says that the Crystal Palace star would be a ‘perfect’ fit in Arteta’s system. Eze would be able to help the North London club break down the low-block teams, but might not be best suited to play against Liverpool and Manchester City away from home.
Speaking to Sky Sports Merson said:
“If you asked me whether Arsenal should sign Eberechi Eze or Madueke, I’d have said Eze all day long.“Now that’s a deal I can see happening and it would be a brilliant signing for Arsenal. He’s perfect.
“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.
“For me, that’s where Eze comes in. He’s got the X-factor and 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.
“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.
“It would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal.”
Eze is a Premier League proven player and would be a great coup for Arsenal should they eventually manage to secure his service this summer.
Softfootball reported earlier that Former England star has urged Man United, Arsenal to sign Yoane Wissa. Former England international, Stuart Pearce has urged Manchester United and Arsenal to sign Brentford forward, Yoane Wissa this summer.
Wissa became the main striker for Brentford when Ivan Toney left the club for Saudi Arabia and he hasn’t disappointed, scoring 20 goals in all competition last season.
