Crystal Palace talisman Rear seat is “tailor-made” to play for Arsenal and should arguably be above Athletic Bilbao‘s Nico Williams on the Gunners’ transfer shortlist, journalist Charles Watts has claimed.
As well as pursuing a new striker and number six in the summer, Arsenal will be expected to add more creativity to their ranks, having seen their attack largely stunted once again in Saturday’s shock 2-1 Premier League loss to Bournemouth.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has been tipped to make improvements in the left-wing position, where Williams is seemingly Arsenal’s number one target, and there has been little talk of the Gunners going in for Eze during the summer window.
However, with nine goals and 11 assists for the FA Cup finalists this season, as well as the ability to play centrally and on the left-hand side, Watts feels that Eze is the “maverick” type of player who Arsenal are crying out for.
Asked by Buzz if Eze was above Williams on his list of targets, Watts said: “I think he is. I love Eze, he’s such a fabulous player. He’s that type of guy who makes the difficult look so, so easy.
“He’s perfect for Arsenal. I know he’s not an out-and-out left-winger like Nico Williams. I’m not saying no to Nico Williams – I’ll be perfectly happy with that – but I just think what Eze would bring to this team is exactly what they need.
Watts: ‘Eze is tailor made for Arsenal’
“He can play on the left wing, but he can also play centrally, in and around the edge of the box. He can pick passes. He can unlock tight defences with either shots from distance, as we saw against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, or he can just thread a little clever pass through.
“He’s tailor-made for (this squad). And I really hope they go for it. I’ve not heard anything to suggest they would. This is purely my opinion on what Arsenal should do. I thought Michael Olise was perfect last year, and I was really disappointed that they didn’t even attempt to go for him. I look at what he’s done at Bayern Munichhe’s that kind of maverick player that Arsenal desperately need.
“Eze falls into the same category. I look at what Arsenal are missing, he would provide an awful lot of that. I’m sure Crystal Palace fans won’t be appreciating me saying it, but I would love it if that was the route that they go down. But again, it’s not something that I’ve actually heard that they are seriously considering at this point.”
Eze has largely played in a number 10 role for Crystal Palace this season, but the England international is comfortable drifting inside from the left and would offer Arsenal an alternative option on the left-hand side too.
Gabriel Theminies and Leandro Trossard are currently vying for minutes in that position for Arsenal, but the former has scored just one goal in his last 10 Premier League games and has struggled to maintain the hot streak of form he showed in 2022-23.
While Williams is said to be Arsenal’s main target on that side, the Gunners were heavily linked with Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sanewhom Mikel Arteta knows well from their time at Manchester City.
Watts “not losing sleep” over Sane contract extension
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However, the Germany international is now expected to agree a new contract to stay with the Bundesliga champions beyond the end of the current season, although Watts is not losing sleep over the prospect of Arsenal missing out on him.
“No, not at all,” he added. “Any player that seems to be linked with Arsenal from Bayern Munich, I’m just thinking he’s going to sign a new contract pretty quickly. Sane is a great player, but it’s not something I see Arsenal exploring.
“The fact he would be a free transfer makes him a little bit more plausible than Kingsley Coman. That one, I just think, no way. Sane, at least you’re not paying any fee. But even Raheem Sterling now – and I’m not comparing Sane to Sterling – but what we learned is that ageing players probably past their best, you’re hoping they can re-find their best form, it’s just one to stay away from.
“We’ve seen it with other players. Willian is a prime example. Sterling has to be the last of that category of player. Not losing any sleep over that.”
Martinelli is only under contract at Arsenal until 2027, although talks are expected to commence with the Brazilian over an extension, while Trossard could leave for nothing when the 2026 summer window rolls around.
The Belgium international’s age and contract situation has led to the expectation that he would be more likely to leave than Martinelli if one of them was to be sold this summer, and he has been tipped to move to the Saudi Pro League in the past.
What will happen with Trossard this summer?
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However, Trossard has proven his worth to Arteta in recent weeks in particular, scoring four goals in five Premier League appearances in April, and Watts cannot see the club trying to force him out of the door.
“It just all depends on what happens in the summer in terms of what might possibly come in for him,” Watts concluded. “I think it’s something that Arsenal would consider if a good move came in for him.
“I don’t think they would actively be trying to shove him out the door, because he’s a really valuable player and he’s still got plenty to offer. He’s not too old right now. So I don’t think it’s one that they’re like, ‘oh, let’s get rid of Leandro.’
“I just think if a good offer comes in for him that he’s interested in, and Arsenal are like, ‘yeah, that’s not too bad’, then I think it’s something that they would probably consider and ultimately may end up doing.”
Trossard completed the full 90 in the loss to Bournemouth, but the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion man is expected to give up his place to Mikel Merino when Arsenal meet Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg.
Meanwhile, Eze will be pulling the strings for Palace when the Eagles take on Nottingham Forest in Monday’s Premier League showdown.
