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<p>Player Focus</p>
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<img alt="Arsenal's €69m new signing Eberechi Eze shines on his full debut" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/eberechi-eze-1757770748-177586.png" title="Arsenal's €69m new signing Eberechi Eze shines on his full debut">
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<p>Much of the pre-match conversation before Arsenal's match against Nottingham Forest centered around the appointment of Ange Postecoglou for the opposition. However, as soon as the players stepped onto the pitch at the Emirates Stadium, the focus turned to Eberechi Eze. After joining from Crystal Palace for €69.3 million in late August, the England international made his eagerly awaited full debut, getting the nod over Gabriel Martinelli to impress the home fans after his cameo against Liverpool. The Premier League title contenders delivered a solid performance, securing a 3-0 victory with Martín Zubimendi netting a brace. But how did Eze perform in his first start for Arsenal? Transfermarkt delved into the 27-year-old's performance for our Player Focus segment.</p>
<h2>Player Focus: Eberechi Eze</h2>
<p>In the opening minutes, Eze appeared composed and exhibited little nervousness on his full debut. He confidently attempted a clever trick to navigate between two Forest defenders, although he was dispossessed. Undeterred, he continued to showcase his skills with intricate moves to penetrate the opposition's defense, including an intelligent dummy that left the crowd in awe and helped initiate a threatening attack for Arsenal. One area for improvement in his first-half performance was his decision-making regarding shooting when opportunities arose; refining this aspect can distinguish good players from elite ones. Nevertheless, Eze demonstrated his potential. Just before the halftime whistle, he displayed excellent pace to evade Neco Williams and delivered a low cross that Viktor Gyökeres narrowly missed finishing.</p>
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<img alt="Player Focus Eberechi Eze" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/eberechi-eze-player-focus-correct-1757770851-177588.png?lm=1757770867" title="Player Focus Eberechi Eze" width="503">
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<p>It's also important to note that Eze's full debut comes after time spent with the England national team, limiting his familiarity with his Arsenal teammates. This connection will undoubtedly grow over time. Some critics questioned Arsenal's decision to bring in Eze, but he silenced them with a moment of brilliance just seconds into the second half. After Gabriel Magalhaes delivered a precise pass, Eze skillfully navigated the bouncing ball to provide a perfectly placed low cross across the six-yard box for Gyökeres to tap in. This goal showcased the evolution of Mikel Arteta's team, adding a different creative dimension with Eze stepping up after Martin Ødegaard's injury. Eze gained confidence from his first assist and continued to dazzle with his flicks and tricks on the left flank, effectively partnering with Riccardo Calafiori.</p>
<h2>Market Value Analysis</h2>
<p>As Arsenal's most expensive signing this summer following his high-profile move from Crystal Palace, Eze faces a challenging transition. Moving from a team where he was the standout player to a star-studded squad is not easy, especially with a significant transfer fee attached to his name. Given his top-flight experience, the expectations for Eze are high, and supporters hope for a prompt return on investment. However, early indications are encouraging, and while it may take some time for Eze to validate an increase from his current market value of €55 million, his performance hints at the potential for this to occur. Despite the hefty investment, signs show that his transfer may ultimately be a wise decision for the club.</p>
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