Can Eze step up for Arsenal in Odegaard's absence?

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 8.

Player analysis: Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Martin Odegaard became the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three successive matches heading into the international break.

After recovering from a recurring shoulder problem, media reports suggest a knee injury could possibly keep the Arsenal captain out until late November.

In the past, such bad news may have caused mild panic among Arsenal fans, but not so this time.

Odegaard’s potential absence opens the door for recent signing Eze to establish himself as Mikel Arteta’s No 10, but what will he bring to that key role?

How Eze has fared so far for Arsenal

Expectations were high among Arsenal supporters that Eze’s talent would add enormous value following his move from Crystal Palace, and those positive vibes have been maintained.

He has settled in quickly and has already delivered two high-class assists, a goal in the EFL Cup plus several moments of individual flair.

Watch Eze's best PL Arsenal moments so far 

Tactically, he is also an important member of Arteta’s squad and has performed four different roles already across eight appearances in all competitions.

Eze has proved his versatility when used on the left side of attack, as a left and right sided box-to-box midfielder, and also as the central No 10.

While Odegaard recovers, Eze will mainly be used as a No 10, or on the right of a midfield three.

Odegaard could potentially return for the north London derby on 23 November, providing Eze with a great opportunity to make his mark during Arsenal’s next four Premier League matches.

Matches Odegaard could potentially miss

More direct

Arteta’s approach this season has been more direct than we have seen in the past, so weekend opponents Fulham will need to handle Arsenal’s longer range passing.

Eze can hurt them, with and without the ball, in situations where Marco Silva’s men leave space in behind their back line.

It was a brilliant delivery from Eze which set up Gabriel Martinelli’s late equaliser against Manchester City, when his exquisite clipped pass took advantage of a high line.

The quality of Martinelli’s finish was unreal, but Eze’s pass was equally impressive.

Eze can pick out runners from deep with either foot, as this example from Arsenal's win at Newcastle United highlights.

Releasing Bukayo Saka in behind, moments later Arsenal won a penalty via Viktor Gyokeres, which was overturned by VAR.

So, when Fulham lose the ball with players committed forward, or if they do not put enough pressure on Eze when the defence squeezes up, Arsenal’s No 10 is good enough to punish them with his passing.

The 27-year-old is also a powerful runner who can get on the end of that type of distribution too.

Against Nottingham Forest, Eze gave Riccardo Calafiori an option for a ball over the top (below) and ran forward superbly before squaring a perfect cross for Gyokeres to score.

He gives the Gunners a fresh dimension being able to make or receive those passes.

Shooting on sight

Do not be surprised if Eze opens his Premier League goal account for the Gunners at Craven Cottage.

He scored in midweek for England in Latvia and has come close on numerous occasions in the league for Arsenal.

No one at Arsenal averages as many attempts as Eze, who is currently firing off 3.85 shots per 90 minutes.

That ranks him third in the division behind Manchester City's Erling Haaland and international team-mate Anthony Gordon.

Players with the most shots per 90, 25/26*

*minimum three starts

Playing centrally in upcoming matches should ensure he gets on the end of numerous chances while he fills in for the Arsenal captain.

Eze has a smart awareness for space, drifting naturally into positions that help him get his shots away from central areas, as shown below.

Eze's shots for Arsenal in the PL

He did blaze a gilt-edged opportunity over the bar against West Ham United last time out that arguably should have been converted - but the midfielder has also had some marvellous efforts saved.

These two brilliant stops from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, from viciously struck efforts off both feet, could easily have led to an Eze brace at St James’ Park.

This attempt came after a gorgeous first touch set Eze nicely for a half-volley on the run, but Pope’s reactions were outstanding.

Shortly afterwards he hit a sweet volley from edge of the penalty area, but despite being unsighted by two defenders, Pope reacted sharply to push it away.

While Odegaard is renowned for his guile and brilliance on the ball, the Norway international is sometimes guilty of not getting into enough goalscoring positions.

That should not be an issue with Eze, who has out-shot his injured skipper by a healthy margin since the start of 2024/25.

Odegaard and Eze's attacking stats compared, 24/25

Happy memories from Craven Cottage

Eze tasted victory at Fulham twice last season, featuring in a 2-0 Premier League success in February, before starring in a 3-0 FA Cup triumph for the Eagles.

He was borderline unplayable in both matches.

Testing Bernd Leno twice with long-range attempts on target (below is the first), Eze also unlocked the Fulham defence with a cheeky backheel for Jean-Philippe Mateta, only to see the goal ruled out for offside.

Eze was even better in the FA Cup quarter-final win when he created four chances, including an assist for Mateta, with a run and cross from the left.

Eze also opened the scoring that day with a mesmeric curling effort that Arsenal fans would love to see repeated this weekend.

Watch Eze's brilliant strike in the EFL Cup v Fulham

Based on recent evidence, Eze does enjoy this fixture and in the absence of Odegaard, he also knows this is his big chance to show what he can do in a No 10 role for a sustained period.

Eze has an ideal platform to really make his mark in the coming weeks playing in a midfield three alongside the outstanding Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

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