They haven’t even kicked a ball yet, and there is already an enormous amount of pressure on Arsenal.
After three successive second-place Premier League finishes, this season has a do-or-die feeling to it for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Fortunately, the Gunners looked impressive in their final game of pre-season against Athletic Bilbao, and the board have done a great job adding some real quality to the team over the summer.
However, with just over two weeks to go, Arsenal look determined to make at least one more addition, and if reports are to be believed, they’re looking at someone who’d be an even better signing than Rodrygo.
So far this summer, Andrea Berta and his team have done a brilliant job in the market.
The Italian has overseen the addition of six players to the first team, with Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres the clear stand-outs.
However, instead of resting on their laurels, the North Londoners appear keen to add more quality to the team and could bring in someone who’d be even better than the previously linked Rodrygo.
At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which reaffirms Arsenal’s interest in Eberechi Eze.
The story has revealed that while Tottenham Hotspur have been in intense talks with Crystal Palace over the player, and could be set to make a £55m offer, the Gunners are still in the frame.
While it’s hard to be sure which North London side the Englishman will join this summer, sources have informed Caught Offside that “the next two days will decide it all.”
Therefore, Arsenal should move as fast as they can, as Eze would be an excellent addition to Arteta’s squad, and for our money, a better signing than Rodrygo.
Now, while Arsenal would do incredibly well to sign either Rodrygo or Eze this summer, there are a few key reasons why the latter would be better than the former, and the first comes down to the league they play in.
This matters because while the quality of La Liga is exceptionally high, it would take the Brazilian some time to adapt to life in the Premier League, and when the Gunners need to win something this season, those few months of him getting up to speed could be hugely detrimental.
On the other hand, the Crystal Palace star has made 146 appearances in the competition since moving to South London.
Therefore, beyond getting to know his teammates, there really shouldn’t be much of an adaptation period for him.
The second big argument in favour of the Greenwich-born “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is his output.
For example, in his 43 appearances for the Eagles last season, totalling just 3303 minutes, the 27-year-old monster scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists.
In other words, the goalscoring dynamo managed to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, for a team that finished in mid-table.
In contrast, the Brazilian international scored as many goals and provided as many assists, but did so in 54 appearances, totalling 3452 minutes.
That means he averaged a goal involvement every 2.16 games, or every 138.08 minutes, and did so in a far better team.
Finally, away from the quantifiable advantages, another tick for the Eagles ace is that, thanks to his time with the Three Lions, he already has a relationship with several players in the Gunners’ squad, like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke.
While it might not sound like a big deal, this should make his integration into the squad far easier.
Ultimately, while Rodrygo is an exceptional player, Eze would be the better signing for Arsenal this summer.
