Eberechi Eze: Arsenal and New Balance's star leads the charge towards Premier League redemption
Eberechi Eze was missing as Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The Gunners lacked in invention, finishing and hunger - all elements their summer signing has added since completing his £67.5million move from Crystal Palace.
Eze has pulled out of England's international commitments due to injury, and Arsenal will hope to see him return after the break.
Despite losing 2-0 on Sunday courtesy of Nico O'Reilly's double, Mikel Arteta's team remain in contention for the three remaining competitions.
Arsenal lead the Premier League by nine points, and are set for quarter-final ties against Southampton and Sporting CP in the FA Cup and the Champions League, respectively.
New Balance athletes leading the way for Arsenal
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider in November that Eze is under pressure at Arsenal, but the midfielder has taken that pressure and run with it in recent weeks.
Wearing New Balance's brand new Furon v8s, the 27-year-old smashed in a screamer to send the Gunners through to the Champions League quarter final against Bayer Leverkusen last week.
| Eberechi Eze | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Goals/assists | 8 |
| Successful dribbles | 23 |
| Fouls won | 30 |
| Touches in opposition box | 55 |
| Duels won | 77 |
It was Eze's first goal in Europe's most prestigious competition, and what a way to do it. The England international has a way of connecting with the ball that no other Arsenal player seems to possess.
When he strikes it, the ball stays hit, and it usually connects with the back of the net before the goalkeeper has time to react.
New Balance's other star, Bukayo Saka, is more subtle with his impact for his boyhood club.
The winger has grown into a leader for the Gunners, captaining his team for the last five consecutive Premier League games in the absence of Martin Odegaard.
And Saka continues to drive Arsenal forward, sometimes taking criticism, but always involved in the triumphs.
- You can wear the Furon v8s like Saka and Eze, or other boots in New Balance's collection, by clicking here.
Eze looking to see out a boyhood dream
Much of this season has felt written in the stars for Eze. An injury to Kai Havertz on the opening day spurred Arsenal into making the move to reunite the midfielder with the club he had left aged 13.
His announcement at the Emirates Stadium was what dreams were made of, with the 27-year-old pointing to the sky in appreciation.
Eze's hat-trick against Tottenham in November was special, and it was followed up by two more at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
All that is missing for the Arsenal man to complete a dream season is the trophies. Seven games stand between the England international and the realisation of a boyhood dream.
With hopes that Eze's injury will not keep him out for much longer than the international break, there is a feeling that New Balance's star may have one or two more big moments left in these decisive two months.