Sources: Eberechi Eze set for new Arsenal role

Arsenal plan to use Eberechi Eze more frequently as a left-winger this season, sources have told Football Insider.

The Gunners signed Christos Tzolis during the summer but failed to land any of their other targets for the left of the attack, despite sanctioning the sales of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Eze, 28, will be asked to feature more regularly in a new role as a result, despite spending the majority of last season in a central attacking position.

Arsenal committed to a long pursuit of Vinicius Junior in their attempts to add a world-class forward who could operate from the left, but ultimately missed out when Real Madrid altered their stance to tie him down to a new contract.

The alternative superstar option was Julian Alvarez, who had been keen to leave Atletico Madrid all summer amid Barcelona's interest, but the forward would not accept a return to the Premier League.

Arsenal also failed to land Morgan Rogers, who was keen to join earlier in the window before eventually signing for London rivals Chelsea.

A late-market opportunity in the form of Lyon's Malick Fofana was considered on deadline day, but the Premier League champions decided against a move and the winger eventually signed for Sunderland.

Eberechi Eze faces huge test

Eze featured occasionally on the left of the attack for Crystal Palace, but his best football usually came through the middle.

He will need to adapt his game for Arsenal's needs this season, however, and may even be considered as the first choice on the left.

Tzolis started the season brilliantly against Manchester City in the Community Shield and against Coventry City, but struggled on Monday night against Aston Villa.

It is not yet clear how he will adapt to the Premier League, and the responsibility of replacing Trossard's contributions may fall to Eze.

While there is little doubt about his technical ability, his defensive work-rate on the left remains in question.

The form and fitness of Riccardo Calafiori will be key also, with the Italian having started the season exceptionally well.

Eze makes good start against Aston Villa as error avenged

Last season at Villa Park, Eze started on the left of the attack and was hooked at half-time after switching off in the build-up to Matty Cash's opener.

That moment appeared to be an eye-opener for Mikel Arteta, who would punish him with four consecutive games as an unused substitute, while not starting him in the same position until nearly two months later.

Monday's 1-0 win at Villa Park felt like redemption. Eze came on at the break and combined well with Calafiori in the build-up to Bukayo Saka's winner.

He stuck to his defensive task, too, and perhaps did enough to convince his manager that he is more than a sensible option for the left this season.

"Cash's goal last year he lost him, we conceded the goal - and this year, I think he learned a lesson because every time something was happening he was at it, and I think he helped the team in a great way," Arteta said after the game. "We knew that he could create an action, but as well I have to trust him.”