Rio Ferdinand suggests Arsenal sign Eberechi Eze for Xhaka

Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze would be a good replacement for Granit Xhaka at Arsenal. Xhaka has enjoyed perhaps his best season with Arsenal since arriving at the Emirates in 2016, with five goals and five assists in the Premier League so far. The central midfielder is a key part of Mikel Arteta’s side both on and off the pitch, having started all but one of their league games so far to help the Gunners in their unexpected title push. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Eze can also play in a slightly deeper role and on the left-wing and has already scored seven and assisted three this season, despite not being a favourite of former Palace manager Patrick Vieira. Roy Hodgson has restored the 24-year-old to the starting XI however, going to play a pivotal role in the victories over Leicester, Leeds and Southampton that have almost certainly secured his side’s place in the top-flight. Yet to be capped for England, Eze spent five years at Arsenal’s academy but if the Gunners want him back they’ll have to spend big as Palace will want a significant profit on the player they splashed over £15million on in 2020. Ferdinand praised Eze’s performances, saying: ‘Smooth. If you’re talking about one of the smoothest ballers in the game, in the Premier League right now, Eze’s up there. Mad player. He’s playing like he’s in the cage. Just smooth, man. He doesn’t seem fazed either. Every situation you put him in, he’s just calm. And he’s in that position where he turns and faces up midfielders or defenders. He can go past people, slip people in and finish. He’d be good at Arsenal, you know. In the [Granit] Xhaka position. In another year.’