Three ways Arsenal could line up with Eberechi Eze in scary new-look attack | OneFootball

Eze will form lethal frontline with Viktor Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Eberechi Eze after hijacking Tottenham’s move for the Crystal Palace star

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Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

Here, Standard Sport looks at three ways Arsenal could line up with Eze in the team…

On the left wing

Out on the left flank is the most likely place for Eze to fit into this Arsenal side.

Left wing has been a problem position for around 18 months, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard struggling for form.

Eze helped Crystal Palace win the Community Shield after scoring the winner in the FA Cup final last season

The FA via Getty Images

Noni Madueke has arrived as an option there and the 23-year-old offers something different because he is a natural left footer.

Eze thrived last season as one of two No10s for Palace in a 3-4-2-1 formation, but he has experience of playing as a left winger.

He could be deployed on the left by Arsenal and be given a licence to drift inside, just like Trossard often does.

Riccardo Calafiori has been used as an overlapping left-back in pre-season and that would suit Eze cutting inside to cause problems.

Possible lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Eze

As a No8

Being deployed as one of Arsenal’s two No8s could be a role that allows Eze to flourish even more than out wide.

His best performances for Palace have come in central areas, where he is able to get on the ball more.

Eze is being lined up to have a medical at Arsenal on Friday

The FA via Getty Images

Arteta has traditionally liked to partner Martin Odegaard with a more combative No8, such as Declan Rice or Mikel Merino.

But Eze could prove to be a valuable option as a left No8 in games where Arsenal are dominating possession.

Breaking down teams that sit deep has been a recurring problem for Arteta’s side and having two playmakers on the pitch, Eze and Odegaard, may help that.

Odegaard has often suffered because so much of Arsenal’s attacking play comes through him, but Eze would give them a dual threat and add variety.

Possible lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Experiment as a false nine

This is a left-field option, but it could be something that Arteta is tempted to trial at some point this season.

Eze has some experience of playing up front and actually did so for England back in June during a friendly against Senegal.

Eze was a boyhood Arsenal fan and played for the club’s academy

Getty Images

He came off the bench and played alongside Harry Kane in a 4-4-2 formation, and he was one of England’s better players.

Arteta may have to get creative with striker options if Kai Havertz is out for an extended period of time.

The German has a knee injury that Arsenal are assessing, with Arteta due to give an update at his press conference on Friday.

Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line in his absence, but Eze could be utilised as a false nine.

The freedom afforded to the role may play into his hands and add some much-needed fluidity to Arsenal’s attack.

Possible lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Martinelli