- Eberechi Eze has quickly made his mark at Arsenal after his high-profile summer move from Crystal Palace. Now competing at the very top of the Premier League and locked in a title battle with Liverpool, the 27-year-old is earning recognition for both his performances and his opinions on fellow professionals.
Fresh from scoring the decisive goal in Arsenal’s narrow victory over Newcastle United, Eze reflected on players he admires in the game. Despite being a direct rival to Liverpool in the title race, he had no hesitation in singling out one of their former stars, Trent Alexander-Arnold, as the best right-footed player he has ever seen.
Speaking on the Stadium Astro YouTube channel, Eze was tasked with building his “perfect footballer” by selecting the best players for different attributes. Lionel Messi was his easy pick for the greatest left foot, but when asked about the right foot, he instantly named Alexander-Arnold, praising the former Liverpool full-back’s extraordinary technique and vision.
Eze has faced Alexander-Arnold many times in the Premier League and also shared a dressing room with him for England. Those experiences, he explained, gave him a unique appreciation of the defender’s ability to control a game with his passing range. For Eze, Alexander-Arnold’s impact on how full-backs are viewed in modern football cannot be overstated.
Liverpool fans, however, still feel the sting of his departure. The club tried to extend his stay at Anfield, but the defender was determined to seek a new challenge. His move to Real Madrid cost just £8.4 million, with the Spanish giants accelerating the deal to ensure his participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. Though he has struggled for minutes behind Dani Carvajal, his quality is undisputed.
The reunion is not far away. Real Madrid will travel to Anfield on November 4 to face Arne Slot’s Liverpool in the Champions League, a match that promises to be charged with emotion. Alexander-Arnold, who endured boos from his own supporters before leaving, is expected to recover from injury in time to feature in the fixture. The reception he receives on Merseyside will be fascinating to witness.
For Eze, however, admiration outweighs rivalry. In an era filled with attacking stars and creative midfielders, his decision to highlight Alexander-Arnold underlines the respect the 26-year-old commands among his peers. Regardless of how his spell at Madrid unfolds, his legacy as a game-changing right-back in the Premier League is already secure.
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