Eberechi Eze vs Rodrygo: Which attacker should Arsenal buy this summer?

As is the case up top, it seems Arsenal have whittled down their left-wing targets to two big names: Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace or, alternatively, Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

Both players are on the market this summer, with Eze reported to have a £68m release clause in his current deal and Rodrygo being tipped for a Los Blancos exit – speculation fuelled by his mere bench role at the FIFA Club World Cup.

There is a lot to like about each player and this interest suggests a change in gear for the Gunners as, after their recent ‘back-up’ shopping spree, they are now (finally) ready to spend on the oft-neglected attack.  

Eberechi Eze vs Rodrygo: which player should Arsenal buy in this summer transfer window?

Eze and Rodrygo are difficult to split, so here are three considerations to help you decide which man Arsenal should buy.

1. Who meets our current squad needs?

You might have heard that Arsenal need a few forwards?

Reinforcements would be useful right across the frontline and it makes Rodrygo a particularly strong option. The Brazil star can provide back-up for Bukayo Saka thanks to a wealth of RW experience but he is an established LW candidate too, making 12 of his 53 appearances in 2024/25 on the left flank.

He is no stranger to the striker position either – important given the injury to Gabriel Jesus – and that sort of versatility could prove invaluable for this team, not least given our past tendencies to not tick every box in any given transfer window.

For all his talent, Eze does not quite scratch those same itches. The 27-year-old can play LW but more often performs in midfield and is not an option at CF, with his recent exploits for Palace (39 out of 43 matches playing in CAM) indicating that he would not be the best player to help our LHS reach its full potential.

Perhaps Eze could push Martin Odegaard in the middle, but this move is primarily about improving in attack and few attackers can cover all bases quite like Rodrygo.

Verdict: Rodrygo

2. Who will have an immediate impact?

Moves for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard reflect the ‘win-now’ interests of Arsenal as they both possess the thing Mikel Arteta values most – Premier League experience.

If that is a crucial factor, then Eze 'should' win this debate. He has been a Crystal Palace player since 2020/21 and, before then, spent several years at QPR in the Championship, with a short stint in the Arsenal ranks as a teenager being a small added bonus.

Eze requires no adaptation period and, therefore, fans can expect him to hit the ground running if a deal materialises.

But does that experience matter? It holds less weight when the focus turns to Rodrygo who, despite his lack of PL exposure, would be expected to make an immediate difference. You do not stay at Real Madrid for six years unless you are good and he is already considered among the best in his position in world football; that sort of talent, experience and big-club mentality does not just disappear when you change environment.

One might expect either player to make an impact right away, so it seems like Arteta is really spoilt for choice here.

Verdict: Tied   

3. Who makes more all-round contributions?

Everyone knows just how much Arteta demands from all his players, both in attacking and defensive senses.

In terms of the former, Eze and Rodrygo are almost impossible to split: Rodrygo has notched 14 goals and 11 assists over 53 games and counting (still involved at the CWC) while Eze did exactly the same – 14 goals, 11 assists – in 10 fewer games in 2024/25.

Look at other aspects, though, and a favourite emerges. Fbref ranks Rodrygo among the very best in his position for progressive carries (86th percentile), pass completion (98th) and successful take-ons (80th), while he scores about average in the defensive traits.

Eze trumps him in the take-on stakes (86th percentile – though he plays a slightly different role and so might be compared to a different set of players) but falls way down on all the aforementioned metrics and is even less of an asset in rearguard terms – not that defending is of primary concern here.

The numbers show that not only is Rodrygo a more versatile name for the entire frontline, but he is also out-performing Eze in each individual attribute (even if that superiority is not reflected in their respective numbers). He seems to do everything Eze does and more, and that will surely be a factor in deciding who Arsenal wish to pursue.

Verdict: Rodrygo

Conclusion: Rodrygo

No one would complain if Arsenal signed either of these two. However, Rodrygo offers us a bit more versatility in the right areas, nearly matches Eze for output and is better able to put in the hard yards all over the pitch. There is an extra cost involved for him and he lacks PL experience, but his years at the biggest club in world football mean he is not afraid of tough environments and so that bigger fee is likely to be well worth it.     

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