Why Havertz and Odegaard's injuries could define Eze's Arsenal career

The international break is a great chance for Arsenal to regroup after their 3-0 defeat to Brighton. They return to action on Saturday 10 October against Leeds United, but Mikel Arteta could have some new selection decisions to make.

Kai Havertz suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Germany, and he is now back in North London for assessment by the Arsenal staff. It's not clear how long Havertz will be out for, and he's not the only concern either.

Martin Odegaard also suffered an injury whilst playing for Norway. He picked up an ankle issue during Norway's Nations League game against Portugal on Sunday. It's not expected to be a severe injury, but Odegaard could miss the Gunners' next game against Leeds.

If both Odegaard and Havertz remain out for the Leeds game, Eberechi Eze could start in an attacking midfield role. Eze hasn't found consistent form since joining the Gunners last summer, and these injuries could give him the chance he's been waiting for.

Eze has to capitalise on his chance

Since moving to the Emirates, Eze has made 59 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists. Many of his appearances have come off the bench, as Mikel Arteta has tended to favour both Odegaard and Havertz, and sometimes Mikel Merino, in the number 10 role.

Eze's best position is behind the striker, and he offers a different skill set from the others, which he needs to take advantage of. The former Crystal Palace star is one of the best on-the-ball players at the Emirates, and he also has more pace than Havertz and Odegaard. However, Eze's end product often lets him down, and if he's to secure more regular starts, he needs to take his chances, whether that's scoring or creating.

There's also a chance for Eze on the left wing

The other route to regular starts for Eze comes on the left wing, where he has also featured for the Gunners. As Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard both left in the summer, and Christos Tzolis has had mixed results so far, the left wing is open for Eze to claim.

However, there is an issue. Everyone knows Eze's best position is behind the striker, and the stats prove it too. When starting in the 10, Eze has six goals and one assist in 15 games; When starting on the left, he has just one goal and two assists in eight games. According to WhoScored.com, his average rating drops to 7.08 as the number 10 and just 6.76 on the left.

Either Eze needs to show he can compete and perhaps be better than Odegaard and Havertz in the number 10 role, or usurp Tzolis on the left wing, but that would require significant improvement from what he's shown so far. If he fails at both, Eze could be destined for a role as an impact sub at Arsenal.

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