Arsenal icon Nigel Winterburn believes Eberechi Eze could replace Gabriel Martinelli if the Gunners sign the Crystal Palace superstar.
The north London club have been strongly linked with a move for Eze in the summer transfer window with the player thought to be keen on a switch to the Emirates.
Eze was recently seen posing for pictures with Arsenal fans on social media, and was asked about joining Mikel Arteta’s side by a supporter at Wembley on Sunday after Palace won the Community Shield on penalties.
Arsenal are reluctant to pay Eze’s £68m price tag – but believe they can negotiate a lower fee before the summer window closes on September 1.
The Gunners feel Eze’s best position is when he operates as a No.10 but also view him as a versatile attacking player who can be deployed on the left.
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Rio Ferdinand has questioned where Eze would fit into Arsenal’s XI if he does complete a move to the Emirates – but Winterburn is convinced he’d be coming in to challenge Marinelli for a regular spot on the left wing.
‘Eberechi Eze is a game-changer’
Quizzed about Arsenal’s interest in Eze, Winterburn told Metro via NewBettingOffers.co.uk: ‘I think he’d be a good fit.
‘Whether we would get him or not I don’t know. He’s a player who I think is a game-changer. He’s a lovely player.
‘Would I love to have him in the Arsenal squad? Of course I would. I don’t know what money Arsenal have got left – they may have to shift out one or two players first.
‘But if you asked me if we should take Eze, I would say yes.’
‘Eberechi Eze would play on the left wing’
Eze is usually deployed as an attacking midfielder but the 27-year-old England international can also be used as a left winger and the latter position is exactly where Winterburn thinks he would play at Arsenal.
‘He’s going to compete with Martinelli,’ Winterburn added. ‘All the players we’re being linked with suggest they want to strengthen on the left side.
‘That’s where they’re feeling at the moment where the competition isn’t as strong as it should be.
‘They can move players around, of course they can, but I would say he’ll come in and play on the left side.
‘He could also play as the No.10 if Martin Odegaard need a rest or picks up an injury.’
Martinelli has been linked with an Arsenal exit this summer – attracting interest from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and a number of clubs in the Saudi Pro League.