Pundit Steve Nicol does not believe that Eberechi Eze’s role against Liverpool is guaranteed.
Eze is the talk of North London, being a hero to those in Islington and a villain to those in Tottenham.
It looked as though the former Crystal Palace superstar was going to join Tottenham, but Andrea Berta prevented the move from happening.
Eze was desperate to join Arsenal, and got his wish, signing for the Gunners 24 hours after his transfer to Spurs was hijacked.
Signing Eze is a huge boost for Arsenal, as the 27-year-old arrives fit and ready to make an impact in the Premier League.
The attacking midfielder is arriving at the perfect time after Martin Odegaard’s injury against Leeds United, which could see the Englishman walk into the starting XI to replace the skipper.
That’s the ideal situation from the outside, but pundit Steve Nicol doesn’t believe that Arteta will permit Eze to start at Anfield on matchday three.
“I’m not sure he just walks straight in the team,” Nicol said to ESPN FC.
“Arteta’s not the type of guy, I don’t believe, who signs a guy then throws him in. Let’s just hold our horses and see what happens next week. I’m not so sure he gets thrown in.”
The former Liverpool defender then suggested that Ethan Nwaneri could get the nod over Eze, given that the 18-year-old was called into action to replace Odegaard against Leeds.
“Does Nwaneri play in the middle instead of Odegaard? I’m just telling you, I’m not sure he gets thrown in.
“I think Arteta is one of those guys who is like, I can’t just throw him in now, he doesn’t really know us. He hasn’t played, he hasn’t trained. Arteta is one of those guys.”
Nwaneri, who was described as ‘crazy’ by his teammate Ben White, is Nicol’s pick to start at Anfield, but there’s one thing that will have Arteta thinking.
When looking at Eze’s previous two Premier League performances at Anfield, Arteta will be delighted that Berta got the deal over the line when he did.
Eze scored the match-winner when Crystal Palace beat Liverpool during the 2023/24 season and, more recently, starred in the Eagles’ 1-1 draw on the final day of last term.
When combining Arsenal’s new signings’ statistics from the two games, it’s clear to see why Arteta might favour him at Anfield.
Arsenal tend to be timid on Merseyside and almost appear to be afraid to attack Liverpool freely, something Eze would prevent from happening again.
The England international isn’t afraid to run at the Reds, nor be the creator who makes a difference.
It will be fascinating to see the capacity that Eze plays at Anfield, as he prepares for his first week of training as a Gunner.
