Paul Merson believes Eberechi Eze can lead Arsenal to Premier League glory after a £67.5m deal was agreed with Crystal Palace. Merson describes Eze as a ‘game-changer’ and a ‘perfect fit’ for Arsenal, highlighting his ability to unlock stubborn defenses and provide the creative spark needed in tight games. He also praises Eze’s impressive stats and overall impact on Crystal Palace. Merson suggests that Eze’s arrival could propel Arsenal to the top of the Premier League in the 2025-26 campaign.
Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has ignited excitement among Gunners fans, asserting that the potential acquisition of Eberechi Eze could be the key to unlocking Premier League glory this season. Merson's bold claim follows reports that Arsenal has struck a deal worth £67.5 million to secure the services of the dynamic England international from Crystal Palace.
The Gunners reportedly edged out their North London rivals, Tottenham, in the race for Eze's signature, swiftly finalizing personal terms after Tottenham initially seemed poised to land the coveted midfielder. The proposed agreement is structured around a guaranteed £60 million fee, supplemented by £7.5 million in performance-related add-ons. Despite the looming transfer, Eze is expected to play a crucial role in Crystal Palace's upcoming Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad.
Arsenal has consistently challenged for the Premier League title in recent years, finishing as runners-up in each of the last three seasons. However, Merson believes that Eze's arrival could provide the creative spark needed to propel them to the summit in the 2025-26 campaign. "I think Arsenal win the league with Eze," Merson declared, highlighting the transformative impact the midfielder could have.
Merson acknowledged the competitive landscape, noting the resurgence of Liverpool and the early-season form of Manchester City. However, he emphasized that Eze's unique qualities could give Arsenal the edge in tight contests. "They had a chance without him because it’s a real heads or tails season with Liverpool, and Man City played well on the opening weekend, but Eze helps get them over the line."
Eze enjoyed a stellar 2024-25 season for Crystal Palace, amassing an impressive 26 goal involvements across all competitions, including a memorable FA Cup-winning goal. His prolific output surpassed that of any Arsenal player, with Bukayo Saka coming closest with 25 goal involvements. During his tenure at Crystal Palace, Eze made 169 appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing 29 assists.
Merson lauded Eze as a "brilliant signing" for Arsenal, describing him as a "game-changer" and a "perfect fit" for Mikel Arteta's squad. He also cautioned against allowing Tottenham to secure his signature, stating that it would have raised serious questions about Arsenal's ambitions. "If Arsenal had let Spurs get him, I’d have had to question what the club was doing because he’s a quality player."
Merson pinpointed Arsenal's struggles against defensively organized teams at the Emirates Stadium as an area where Eze could make a significant difference. "Arsenal struggle when teams come to the Emirates and put everyone behind the ball. Teams want to limit the space Arsenal have to play in, and they have struggled to break teams down with those tactics. We’ve seen it over the last few years when they have struggled to break teams down when it gets right to the business end of a game and the business end of a season."
He emphasized Eze's ability to unlock stubborn defenses in crucial moments, providing the creative spark needed to secure victories in tight games. "For me, that’s where Eze comes in at Arsenal. He’s got the X-factor and, in tight, tight games, he has the ability to break a low block down." While acknowledging that Eze may not be the ideal solution for every away game, Merson believes that his qualities will be invaluable in home matches against teams that employ defensive tactics.
"Away from home, maybe he’s not the answer. Against the likes of Liverpool and Man City, they may come under the cosh for a bit, and they may have to play slightly differently. That’s why you have a big squad. At home, against the lesser teams, where they have 70 to 80% of the ball, let Eze do what he wants, because he will make something happen," Merson concluded, highlighting the potential for Eze to transform Arsenal into genuine title contenders.