Arsenal head into Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich having kept themselves within touching distance of the Premier League summit. A 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest left the Gunners three points behind leaders Manchester City, and they now have the chance to make it three wins from three in Europe.
Results have been tighter than many would like, though. Four of Arsenal's six league wins have been by a single goal, including their last two, while Martin Odegaard's second-half strike settled their away Champions League opener at Napoli.
Pardew's Verdict on Eze
Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has identified a problem with Eberechi Eze, suggesting the playmaker cannot deliver what Mikel Arteta needs from a No. 10 or a left winger. Eze, who was withdrawn at half-time for match-winner Noni Madueke on Sunday, may have to settle for an impact substitute role, according to Pardew.
"In certain games, against lesser opposition, Eze will be given that No. 10 position," Pardew told talkSPORT. "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 Talk Cools
Arsenal and Manchester United have both been linked with Sporting CP's Maxi Araujo in recent months, but neither club has stepped up their interest since failing to tempt the Uruguayan away from Lisbon over the summer, according to Sport Witness.
This is despite rumours of a £55m bid for the player being on the horizon. Such a fee would represent a significant profit on a player signed from Mexican side Toluca in 2024, but the latest reports appear to be wide of the mark.
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 one goal and two assists this term, but plays further forward for his country and has scored five in his last six outings for Uruguay.
