Arsenal are set to play Crystal Palace on Monday evening, in what could be a defining match for the Gunners' Champions League hopes. Despite the importance of winning the match, Edu still has an opportunity to assess a potential transfer situation for the summer.
Eberechi Eze will likely be starting for the Eagles, as Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise are major doubts for the game. He has been linked with a move to the Gunners in recent times, and this game will really prove his quality as the main source of creativity.
It is crucial that Arsenal win the match against Crystal Palace to climb back into the top four after being displaced by Spurs. But a scout report can also be conducted on Eze, who was on an excellent path to stardom before his serious achilles injury towards the back end of last season.
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Eze recently revealed that it had been his dream to play for the Gunners, and he is certainly a player that Edu should have on his radar due to the ability of the youngster. More interestingly, the midfielder was a part of the Arsenal academy before being released, which gives the north London side an extra incentive to sign him as there is unfinished business.
Speaking on the Rising Ballers YouTube channel, Eze said: "Arsenal was probably the hardest [rejection]. My dream was to play for them. Hearing them say 'no' at 13 was tough. I remember training after I got released, I couldn’t focus because I was crying."
The Gunners will need to sign more attack-minded players in the summer transfer window due to Mikel Arteta’s high volume of outgoings in recent windows. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah remain the only recognised strikers at the club after the January transfer window, but the two players have been criticised for the lack of goal potency and are both out of contract at the end of the season.
The Gunners seemed strong in this position at the start of the season because Aubameyang and Folarin Balogun were still options for Arteta, but with the former captain departing for Barcelona, it leaves only the youngster. Fans have suggested Gabriel Martinelli as a potential striker option, which would leave a space open for the left midfielder position - an area which Eze would certainly be able to fill.
The midfielder’s primary position is in the No.10 role, but similarly to Emile Smith Rowe he can also play on the wings, and that would create a healthy competition for places. Eze has only just recovered from a serious Achilles injury, so it would be wise for Arsenal to monitor his progress before coming in with a bid. But if he continues to the same trajectory at Crystal Palace before the serious injury, the Gunners should certainly look into acquiring the youngster who is destined to be an England international - unless he is tempted to switch to Nigeria, of course.
Tonight’s match between the Gunners and Crystal Palace has created a perfect audition opportunity for the former Hale End academy product. Arsenal will be hoping that he’s not the determining factor in a crucial match for Mikel Arteta’s side of a top-four finish this season but will put in a performance that makes him worthy to be a summer signing.
