Eberechi Eze set for important Arsenal role after big impact on 'special night' | OneFootball

Eze has already shown why he can be a game-changer for Mikel Arteta in attack

Eberechi Eze scored his first Arsenal goal against Port Vale on Wednesday

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When Eberechi Eze was growing up and dreaming about scoring for Arsenal, it is unlikely he would have predicted that his first one would be on a cold Wednesday night in Stoke.

It was a lovely goal, too, the type he would have watched Arsenal score as a kid.

Mikel Arteta’s side swiftly worked the ball from right to left, Gabriel Martinelli crossed and Myles Lewis-Skelly was on hand to flick it into Eze’s path.

Eze did not break stride, calmly opening his body before slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Eze has played three different positions for Arsenal and could be their ‘joker in the pack’

Action Images via Reuters

“I just somehow found a space inside the box,” he said. “So I knew that I didn’t have time to take many touches. So I was just looking to get a shot off; that was the main thing. It’s a special day to get my first goal and to win.”

Eze’s goal and performance was the highlight of an otherwise routine and, at times, dull win for Arsenal.

There has been plenty of talk recently about Arteta’s side playing with “the handbrake on”, but the truth is they were able to beat Port Vale in second gear.

After Eze’s goal in the eighth minute, they dominated the game and finished with over 80 per cent possession.

The second goal, courtesy of Leandro Trossard, did not come until four minutes before the end but, even so, Port Vale did not manage a shot on target all night.

Eze was one of nine changes to the Arsenal team that drew with Manchester City last Sunday and he was used as a left No8 by Arteta for the first time.

Prior to last night, Eze had played on the left wing or as a right No8 for Arsenal.

The left No8 position is most similar to the role Eze had at Crystal Palace and he seemed to revel in that area of the pitch.

He was able to find pockets of space, both inside and outside the box, and had it not been for a fine save by Joe Gauci, the 27-year-old could have scored a second.

Eze scored against Port Vale with an expert finish into the bottom corner

AFP via Getty Images

“He played very centrally against a team that’s obviously in a 5-4-1 [formation]; they are super compact inside,” said Arteta.

“It’s not easy to find spaces, but he’s very capable with the ball. You’ve seen that in another three or four actions he’s completely through, and playing people through.

“He still needs to play a little more time with those guys to understand the timings, especially the things that he needs to do.

“Then actions like that will be more consistent and better for us. In general, very good - there is still a lot more to give, I think.”

Arteta is a huge fan of players that can be used in multiple positions and he admitted after this win that Eze may be the most versatile attacker at his disposal.

In five appearances for Arsenal, he has played three different positions and, encouragingly, his output has been good.

Eze has scored once and chipped in with two assists, which is a promising start given he joined after pre-season.

It is early days, but the sense so far is that he will be used in a variety of positions by Arteta across this season.

Eze feels like Arsenal’s joker in the pack, the piece Arteta can move most easily to “change the puzzle”, as he puts it.

“What we want to do with him is to get him in positions, in the spaces that he can create his magic moments and the difference in the team,” said Arteta.

“And sometimes that will be from the wide area, sometimes that will be from the right or left in relation to the opposition.

“He is a player who has to be in touch with the ball and we will find ways to do that. That’s what we got him for, to win football matches.”