Alan Smith has dismissed claims Arsenal made a mistake signing Eberechi Eze and insists he could have a ‘big part to play’ within the Gunners’ title bid.
Arsenal beat north London rivals Tottenham to a £67.5m deal for England forward Eze last summer.
Eze’s arrival at Arsenal, the club he supported growing up, was widely celebrated however the 27-year-old has made a subdued begin to his profession on the Emirates Stadium.
The Eagles hero scored just two goals in his first 15 appearances for Arsenal, one which got here against League One basement boys Port Vale within the Carabao Cup.
It was hoped a rare north London derby hat-trick against his former suitors Spurs would kick-start Eze’s profession but he has gone one other eight games and not using a goal since that joyous 4-1 win.
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Eze’s dip in form has cost him his place in Arsenal’s starting line-up and he did little to persuade Arteta he must be starting within the 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth on Sunday.
A subdued begin to his Arsenal profession even led former Manchester United defender Paul Parker to assert Mikel Arteta was mistaken to sign Eze.
‘Eze was outstanding last season, I believe he was the most effective attacking midfielder within the Premier League,’ Parker said last month.
‘I believe that freedom has been taken away from him by Mikel Arteta since going to Arsenal. They bought him for what he was delivering after which once they got him, they’ve tried to get him to do something different.
‘It doesn’t make sense for that type of money.’
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has also expressed concern for summer signing Eze, claiming he won’t ‘get back within the team’ and has damaged his hopes of going to next summer’s World Cup.
But Gunners hero Smith has defended Arsenal’s transfer decision and says ‘really good player’ Eze could have a task to play because the club look to clinch their first league title since 2004.
Smith, who scored over 100 goals for the Gunners, also believes Eze’s arrival has ‘helped’ and ‘pushed’ captain Martin Odegaard to get back toh is best.
‘I still think Arsenal were right in signing him,’ Smith told Metro on behalf of BestBettingSites.co.uk. ‘I believe he’s a very good player.
‘I believe at times they’ve tried to get him and Odegaard in the identical side, and it looked a bit awkward. But I actually think Eze coming has helped Odegaard. It’s pushed him on a bit, and he’s finding some higher form.
‘But Eze, he’ll have a giant part to play. He obviously got that hat-trick against Spurs, didn’t he, a number of weeks back now.
‘He’s a terrific man to have in your squad and in your first 11 when he’s playing well. I don’t think there are any real concerns there.’
Arsenal, sitting six points clear at the highest of the Premier League, booked their place in the following round of the FA Cup with an emphatic victory over Championship side Portsmouth.
Smith believes Arsenal’s impressive form and significant spending last summer means they’ll afford to not dip into the January transfer window for reinforcements.
‘They’re so well covered,’ he added. ‘They’re certainly one of the few sides that you just’d say, no, they don’t need anything.
‘There’s all the time a possibility that you just just go a bit far, and also you’re overloaded along with your squad, and also you’ve got unhappy players.
‘They may have that as they move forward, those lads that aren’t playing. But no, I can’t consider a position that needs strengthening.’
Arsenal face London rivals Chelsea in the primary leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night before returning to Premier League motion next weekend against Nottingham Forest.
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