Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday as the Gunners look to further their title hopes, with £60m Eberechi Eze facing his former club for the first time.
Mikel Arteta has told Eberechi Eze he must focus on Arsenal on the eve of the England international’s “special” Crystal Palace reunion. Eze will face his former team for the first time since his £60 million move to north London when Arsenal welcome Oliver Glasner’s side to their Emirates home on Sunday.
Eze spent five years at Selhurst Park and posted an emotional message to the club’s supporters when he completed his move to Arsenal in August. However, Arsenal want to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League and Arteta is tasked with ending the club’s 22-year title wait.
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Palace at the Emirates in April and when asked about the importance of Sunday’s game against Eze, Arteta said: “It’s an important game for us. We dropped points here last season so we’re focused on that.”
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“I know this game will be very special for Ebbs, given their history and what they achieved at Palace. There’s something in my stomach[to play against my former club].”
“There are a lot of emotions and there are very close relationships, but the focus is on the team. And I’m sure Ebbs is ready for that.”
Eze scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in May, winning Palace’s first major trophy and signing with his former club. However, he has made 10 appearances for his current employers and only scored once (in the Carabao Cup win over Port Vale).
With captain Martin Odegaard sidelined through injury, Eze is likely to continue in his number 10 role on Sunday.
“He’s done a lot of things very well,” continued the 27-year-old Eze’s Arteta. “If you look at the other situation, especially the number of games he’s playing, he’s not playing every three days that often, but his ability and ability to perform is really good.
“We understand him much better now and what the team needs to utilize his qualities.
“What I like most is his willingness to do whatever he can to help the team. There are always certain parts that need a little bit of focus, but can he do it? He certainly does that. The more time he spends with certain players, the better he’ll get.”
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