Eberechi Eze may need to accept a substitute role at Arsenal after being substituted at half-time in the win over Nottingham Forest, according to former Premier League boss Alan Pardew. Meanwhile, reports of a potential £55million offer for Sporting talent Maxi Araujo appear to be inaccurate.
Pardew questions Eze's fit
Alan Pardew has expressed fears that Eze is unable to deliver what Mikel Arteta demands from either a No 10 or a left winger. The ex-Crystal Palace star was hauled off at half-time in favour of match-winner Noni Madueke on Sunday.
Pardew told talkSPORT: "In certain games, against lesser opposition, Eze will be given that No 10 position. 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."
"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 interest cools
Both Arsenal and Manchester United have been associated with Sporting talent Maxi Araujo in recent months. Yet according to Sport Witness, neither club has intensified their pursuit since being unable to lure the Uruguayan away from Lisbon during the summer transfer window.
This comes despite rumours emerging across Europe of a potential £55million offer for the player being prepared. Such a fee would mark a substantial return on a player who arrived from Mexican outfit Toluca in 2024, though the latest speculation appears to be inaccurate.
Araujo, who is capable of operating at left-back or on the left side of midfield, signed a contract extension last August which ties him to Portugal until 2030. He has registered one goal and two assists so far this season, though he features in a more advanced role for his country and has scored five times in his previous six appearances for Uruguay.
