Arsenal
Henry: Eze’s Derby Hat-Trick Forces Question Over Ødegaard’s Role
Henry argued Eze’s hat-trick against Tottenham strengthens his claim to Arsenal’s No.10 role today.
Eberechi Eze’s hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday reshaped the conversation around Arsenal’s midfield hierarchy after a 4–1 win at the Emirates Stadium. Martin Ødegaard watched the victory from the sidelines after missing the fixture through injury, while Eze produced a historic display that prompted sharp commentary from Thierry Henry.
In his role as a Sky Sports pundit Henry suggested Eze belongs in the centre of the pitch and implied the club captain might have to make way. “By the way, if I was Martin Ødegaard…” he began before trailing off. “I said it, this guy [Eze] is a [No.] 10 for me, however you want to look at it. He’s not a winger, he’s a 10. He needs to be in the middle of the park and he showed it tonight. That’s what you want: healthy competition.”
Henry underlined Arsenal’s depth in the fixture, referring to the team’s ability to cope despite absences. “We have a great squad,” he said. “I said it before the game, let’s embrace it. A lot of people were talking before the game about who was missing, let’s talk about what the team did today. And if you want to win the league, this is how you win the league.”
He also argued that the lack of a recognised striker allowed Eze room to operate. “We need a [No.] 9, that’s what everyone was saying,” Henry said. “And I would say also that you play without a 9 and you score four goals in open play and your [No.] 10 suddenly comes into the picture because your 9 drops, so you can get the 9 dropping for the 10 to get in.”
Sunday’s result came against visitors who delivered the lowest xG (0.07) of any Premier League team so far this season. The match entry list places Eze alongside historical hat-trick scorers in Opta records, with Ted Drake (Arsenal, October 1934), Terry Dyson (Tottenham, August 1961), Alan Sunderland (Arsenal, December 1978) and Eberechi Eze (Arsenal, November 2025).
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank had joked to assembled media, “Who’s Eze?” and later described him as a “very good player” who is not a Tottenham player. Eze had been close to joining Spurs over the summer, with one report calling the pursuit a “one-horse race,” and was presented to Arsenal fans four days later. Prior to Sunday he had scored once, the winner against Crystal Palace, and created three chances from open play in 707 minutes. Within 200 seconds of the derby he played a pass into Declan Rice, who fired at Guglielmo Vicario.
Arsenal
Arteta clarifies Saka absence as Madueke steps into Cup spotlight
Arteta: Saka had a warm-up niggle; Madueke responded when called, with Chelsea tie on Tuesday. Read.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka was withdrawn from the squad for Saturday’s win over Leeds United after picking up “a little niggle” in the warm-up. The injury was the only notable setback on a positive day for Arsenal ahead of the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
“He wasn’t comfortable to start the game, so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni in,” Arteta said, explaining the decision to replace Saka before kick-off.
Squad depth on the right flank was a specific objective for the club during the summer transfer window. Arteta has been open about his intention to assemble multiple high-quality options in every position, and securing a reliable deputy for Saka was part of that plan.
Arsenal agreed a package worth as much as £52 million ($71.4 million) to sign Madueke from Chelsea, and circumstances provided an early opportunity when Saka was sidelined earlier in the season. While the headline goal-and-assist figures have not matched expectations, Madueke has “undoubtedly passed the eye test this season,” contributing when called upon.
Arteta praised the new arrival for his attitude and preparation. “The way he prepares, the way he’s waiting for opportunity, I think he paid off today because he really impacted the team,” the manager said, highlighting Madueke’s readiness to fill the role.
On the collective task, Arteta added: “We talked before the game, it’s going to be a long game, we’re going to have to navigate through different moments in the game, and we’re going to need everybody fulfilling the role that they have on the day, and I think the players executed that incredibly well.”
Madueke is the leading candidate to occupy the right wing when Arsenal face his former club on Tuesday, though Arteta’s squad contains several possible options for the position.
Arsenal
Clinical Arsenal Cruise to 4-0 at Leeds as Madueke Seizes Late Call-Up
Arsenal recovered from the United loss with a 4-0 victory at Leeds, Zubimendi opened scoring today.
Arsenal responded to last week’s defeat to Manchester United with a 4-0 win away at Leeds United. The Gunners controlled the match from the outset, Martín Zubimendi opening the scoring with a smart header before a corner from Noni Madueke produced an own goal shortly after. Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus both netted in the final 20 minutes to make the scoreline emphatic.
Noni Madueke, thrown into the starting lineup moments before kick-off, made an immediate impact. His cross created Zubimendi’s opener and his corner caused the own goal by Karl Darlow. That decisive delivery underlined why Mikel Arteta sought to add the former Chelsea man to his squad.
At the back Gabriel led a physical performance, notably handling Dominic Calvert-Lewin with authority and topping the successful duels for Arsenal. Declan Rice kept the midfield ticking with a steady stream of passes and defensive work. Martín Zubimendi shielded the defence and recycled possession efficiently, earning the match’s highest rating.
Bukayo Saka had been set to start but an injury in the warm-up forced him out of contention, leaving Arsenal to await clarity on the severity of his problem. Madueke’s display further complicates selection decisions on the right flank.
Key player notes and ratings from the match: Martín Zubimendi 8.2, Gabriel Jesus 7.6, Gabriel 7.5, Noni Madueke 7.5, Declan Rice 7.6. Substitutions included Gabriel Martinelli (61′ for Madueke), Martin Ødegaard (61′ for Kai Havertz), Riccardo Calafiori (76′ for Piero Hincapié), Gabriel Jesus (76′ for Viktor Gyökeres) and Eberechi Eze (81′ for Leandro Trossard). Unused subs were Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Nørgaard.
Match statistics underlined Arsenal’s control: possession 51% to 49%, expected goals 2.39 to 0.15, total shots 14 to 3 and shots on target 8 to 1. Arsenal created seven big chances to Leeds’s nil and both sides finished with 79% passing accuracy.
Arsenal
Arsenal make late switch as Bukayo Saka withdraws ahead of Leeds tie
Saka withdrew from Arsenal’s starting XI at Elland Road after he “felt something” in the warm-up…
Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, were forced into a last-minute change to their starting line-up on Saturday when Bukayo Saka withdrew before the match at Elland Road.
Saka had travelled to Leeds and was given the nod on the right wing, with plans for him to wear the captain’s armband and resume his usual role on Arteta’s right wing. Those plans changed in the pre-match moments when the winger registered an issue while warming up.
The club confirmed Saka “felt something” while preparing for the game at Elland Road. The team did not disclose any further specifics about the problem, but it was sufficient for the England international to be deemed unavailable for selection.
The absence arrived at short notice and produced a late alteration to the XI, with Saka replaced in the team sheet just minutes before the final whistle. Arsenal made the call after the issue presented itself during the warm-up, and the club determined the player could not take part.
That decision removed an influential figure from the side for a fixture in which Arsenal arrived as league leaders. The club offered no further detail on the nature of the injury, only that the matter prevented Saka from featuring on Saturday afternoon.
The late withdrawal underlines how quickly pre-match circumstances can force tactical and personnel changes. Arsenal moved to adjust their selection immediately after the issue emerged during preparations at Elland Road, leaving supporters and staff to await further updates on the player’s condition.
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