Mikel Arteta just made Eberechi Eze's future position at Arsenal crystal clear

Fans rejoiced so much upon the arrival of Eberechi Eze that they barely had time to query where he – a LW, RW or CAM by trade – might actually fit into this Arsenal team.

But Mikel Arteta has just made it quite clear.

Speaking after the 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Port Vale, the boss hailed his £67m purchase as probably the Gunners’ “most versatile attacker”. He added that Eze can bring a particular impact from a central berth as his ability to find spaces is vital for unpicking mass defences, a knack which proved its worth in the first goal on Wednesday night.   

The 27-year-old also starred in midfield versus Manchester City last week and, thus, it seems he may predominantly feature there from now on as the team lacks a creative spark without him (especially if Martin Odegaard is absent too).

Mikel Arteta made it crystal clear what position Eberechi Eze will have at Arsenal this season

Many felt he would mostly push for the LW spot due to stylistic commonalities with Leandro Trossard as well as the evident, ‘upgradeable’ status of that left flank; the “versatile” remark means Arteta will likely try him there too on occasion.

Yet, in some ways, that word only crystallises his role at the club: he is simply the lock-picker of this team and, whether from the flank or midfield, one can expect him to “create magic moments” (once again, the words of Arteta) against the oft-faced, low-block sides e.g. Port Vale, Newcastle United, Manchester City…       

On the face of it, such a job looks unbefitting of someone so talented – is Eze not too good to be the ace in the pack? Too good to be a mere bench surprise, wheeled out for the final half hour when the scores are level and Arsenal need a hero?

But his ‘magical’ traits/the boss’s comments must not be viewed through that lens. Though he might well become a regular first-team name, fans know that a full squad is required to compete on several fronts and the prospect of sharing minutes with Mikel Merino/Ethan Nwaneri/Trossard etc. will only help Eze to have maximum impact when he does feature – out of the starting eleven does not equate to being out of favour.

Arteta knows it too – his love of “finishers” is well established – and more time on the pitch with his new teammates (remember, Eze did not have a pre-season with them) will ensure that magic efforts like those that the Emirates’ patrons witnessed late last Sunday shall soon become quite the regular occurrence at N5.

For now, there are few better ‘finishers’ than Eze.