Arsenal legend Ray Parlour believes Eberechi Eze will get the nod again this weekend against Chelsea ahead of club captain Martin Odegaard.
Eze, a £60million signing from Crystal Palace last summer, scored twice against Tottenham in last Sunday’s derby because the Gunners inflicted more misery on their neighbours. Having scored a hat-trick within the reverse fixture in November, five of his seven goals for Arsenal have come against their arch-rivals.
But there was a worrying lull for the England international between those two north London derbies. Eze was hauled off at half-time against Aston Villa in December and would start just two of his side’s next league 11 matches – failing to make it beyond the hour mark on each those occasions.
Eze began ahead of Odegaard on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the captain back on the bench after a recent knock that ruled him out of the last two games.
The Norway international has picked up various injury issues this season which have contributed to his influence on the side waning – even prompting suggestions his days on the club might be numbered.
Mikel Arteta’s biggest dilemma ahead of the visit of Chelsea is maybe who starts alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in midfield.
Former Gunners star Parlour, who won three Premier League titles with the club, was impressed with Eze’s response to falling out of favour and believes Arteta will keep on with the player who delivered last outing.
Your football fix
Metro‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy evaluation, transfer talk and his tackle the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
Join here, it’s an open goal.
‘Odegaard has passed through a troublesome time this season with a number of injuries. But he really has that quality in those little areas of the pitch he can get out of trouble,’ Parlour told Metro via BetMGM
‘On his day he’s different class. But Eze has bided his time. It’s disappointing if you don’t play but you have got to maintain working hard an show desire in training and showing the proper attitude. It’s easy to are available in and begin sulking.
‘He didn’t play for quite some time but it surely is all about attitude beyond that. Being in training first, being able to go. That’s what I might I actually have done and managers notice that.
He got his opportunity again against Spurs and scored two good goals. But now he has to get his head down.
‘I don’t know what the team goes to be on the weekend because we all know Chelsea are very strong in midfield. Palmer, Caicedo and Fernandez are all excellent players. We all know Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice will play.
‘I feel Eze will probably start. But Arteta may have been assessing things in training this week. And you possibly can’t rest players if you end up going for the title, you wish your best team.
‘But momentum is so necessary if you end up winning. He’ll assess that but I feel Eze might keep his place.’
MORE: Marcel Desailly recommends Chelsea sign ‘very smart’ former Liverpool star
MORE: Unai Emery makes concerning Man Utd claim after Aston Villa defeat at Wolves
MORE: Barcelona make final decision with Manchester United over £26m Marcus Rashford transfer