Arsenal analysis: Eze shows why Gunners changed plans to sign him

 When Arsenal swooped to beat Tottenham Hotspur to the signing of Eberechi Eze, it was one of the standout moments of this summer's transfer window.

The Gunners, who had already spent heavily in the market, moved quickly to hijack their rivals' move for the England midfielder after an injury to Kai Havertz - and Eze has not looked back since.

It was an easy decision to move to the Gunners for someone who was a boyhood fan of the club and was in Arsenal's academy before being released.

But then came the questions of where he would fit into Mikel Arteta's plans.

Arsenal did not see Eze as an outright winger, which meant he would be competing in the congested central area of the pitch with captain Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Ethan Nwaneri.

However, an injury to Odegaard has seen Eze play regularly - and the 27-year-old has continued to improve as he gets used to Arteta's system.

At Crystal Palace, Eze played more from the left, but at Arsenal, he is closer to the right as Arteta looks to build a connection with Bukayo Saka.

Eze has produced some standout moments this season for the Gunners - an assist for Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time equaliser against Manchester City, the winning goal against old club Palace and now this classy hat-trick against Tottenham.

He has four goals and three assists in his 15 appearances for Arsenal this term - and the most goal involvements of any English player in the top flight in 2025.

Arsenal are deservedly top of the league - and Eze's ability to create something from nothing can help keep them there.