Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is dealing with an Eberechi Eze dilemma while reports of a £55million move for Sporting CP's Maxi Araujo have cooled, as the Gunners prepare for a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The north London side secured a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest to stay three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, and now have the chance to make it three wins from three in Europe.
Pardew Questions Eze's Fit
Former Premier League boss Alan Pardew has suggested Eze cannot deliver what Arteta demands from either a No. 10 or a left winger. Pardew told talkSPORT that the ex-Crystal Palace star, who was substituted at half-time for match-winner Noni Madueke on Sunday, may have to accept a role off the bench.
"In certain games, against lesser opposition, Eze will be given that No. 10 position," Pardew said. "But I've seen him on that left side for Crystal Palace a few times and it's just not him. He's never going to go down the left hand side and whip crosses in, he wants to come and play centrally. He's going to make the game too narrow and therefore you've not got enough width, so it's a problem."
Pardew added: "Arteta took him off rightly, in my opinion, as it just wasn't working. In the first instance though, perhaps he shouldn't have started him there, and used him as an impact as a No.10. And I think that will be his role at Arsenal, if they need a goal. I don't think Eze is going to be a starter for Arsenal, I think he's a sub and if they need a moment, then the manager can give him the last 10-15 minutes of games."
Araujo Transfer Rumours Dismissed
Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with Sporting CP's Maxi Araujo, but Sport Witness reports that neither club has intensified their pursuit since failing to sign the Uruguayan during the summer. Despite speculation of a £55million offer, the latest reports appear inaccurate.
Araujo, who can play at left-back or on the left of midfield, signed a contract extension in August that keeps him in Portugal until 2030. He has scored once and provided two assists this season, though he operates in a more advanced role for Uruguay, finding the net five times in his last six international appearances.
