Arsenal are a club that have been blessed with an abundance of genuinely world-class players over the years.
In the current side, you have the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, and then go back to the last Premier League-winning side, and it’s impossible to look past the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Robert Pirès.
However, there is another superstar from the club’s past that many view as the most technically gifted player to wear the red and white: Dennis Bergkamp.
So, fans should be excited about reports linking the club with a player who could become Mikel Arteta’s own version of the Non-Flying Dutchman.
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It’s been a good summer for Arsenal so far this year, as while they suffered two defeats in pre-season, they won their other three games and have been unusually busy in the market.
Transfer Focus
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New Sporting Director Andrea Berta has made six additions to the first team, with goalscoring phenomenon Viktor Gyokeres and midfield maestro Martin Zubimendi the marquee signings.
However, while that would have been more than enough business for the Gunners in summers past, it now looks like they’re trying to make at least one more addition to the team, someone who could be the new Bergkamp.
At least that’s according to a recent report from Ben Jacobs, who has claimed that Arsenal are still very much interested in Eberechi Eze.
Moreover, Jacobs has revealed that while the Crystal Palace ace is open to a move to Tottenham Hotspur, he’s been in talks with Arteta and would “welcome an Arsenal bid.”
It’s not entirely clear how much the £100k-per-week star would cost, as reports from earlier this month claimed that his £68m release clause is set to expire on Friday.
It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Eze’s incredible ability, he’d be more than worth it, especially as he could be the club’s new Bergkamp.
Why Eze could be Arsenal's new Bergkamp
So it’s worth pointing out that we aren’t necessarily saying Eze is as good a player as Bergkamp was during his pomp, but he could be, and on top of that, there are some similarities between their transfers, or potential in the Palace ace’s case.
The first point is that, should this move happen, the 27-year-old Englishman would be joining the Gunners at a similar stage in his career to the Dutchman, who was 26 when he moved to Highbury from Inter Milan in 1995.
Moreover, as his move helped to usher in a period of incredible success for the North Londoners, it also feels like the Eagles star has the ability and could be that missing piece that finally brings success to Arteta’s project.
However, away from the similar circumstances around the moves, the other key similarity between the two players is their immense technical abilities.
For example, when he was at his best, the Amsterdam-born maestro was a joy to watch, someone who wouldn’t just score a goal or provide an assist, but do something so utterly brilliant with the ball at his feet that would often leave fans speechless.
The most famous example of this would undoubtedly be his goal against Newcastle United, but there are so many other instances during his time in England when he’d make the improbable seem blasé.
Now, while we are yet to see the former QPR gem score a goal quite as spectacular as that one at St James’ Park, he remains one of the most entertaining players to watch in England today and has a catalogue of strikes most could only dream of.
Appearances
36
43
Minutes
2285′
3303′
Goals
11
14
Assists
6
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
134.41′
132.12′
Moreover, on top of scoring wonder goals, the “superstar” attacker, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, is just as proficient at setting them up or completing the crucial action that leads to one of his teammates setting up a goal.
Finally, after goals and assists, the most exciting thing a player can do is beat an opposition defender with the ball at their feet, and that’s something the Greenwich-born “magician,” as dubbed by Micah Richards, can do with ease.
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers for successful take-ons in the Premier League last season.
Ultimately, even if it’s a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign Eze this month, as he could turn into Arteta’s Bergkamp.
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