Rio Ferdinand names player who can ‘drag Arsenal over the line’ in title race

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Eberechi Eze could be ‘key’ in this year’s title race and has the ability to ‘drag Arsenal over the line’ if given license to express himself.

Arsenal overcame Newcastle in a tight 1-0 victory to reclaim top spot in the Premier League at the weekend, with Eze’s sublime ninth-minute strike proving decisive in front of an anxious Emirates crowd.

It was a welcome return to winning ways for the Gunners, who had slipped to second place as Manchester City edged out Burnley in midweek, fresh from beating Mikel Arteta’s men at the Etihad.

Eze had also impressed against City and hit the post with an exqusite curled strike from the edge of the box when the scoreline was still level at 1-1, following earlier efforts from Rayan Cherki and Kai Havertz.

Just moments later, Erling Haaland scored what proved to be the winning goal for City and Eze was replaced for Leandro Trossard in the 74th minute – a decision which was widely criticised after the full-time whistle, with Paul Scholes and Patrick Vieira among those left scratching their heads.

There was some concern as Eze was forced off with a suspected muscle problem in Saturday’s defeat of Newcastle, but the former Crystal Palace man appears to have shaken off the injury and was pictured in training on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old midfielder will no doubt be desperate to continue his run in the side for both of Arsenal’s upcoming clashes with Atletico Madrid and Fulham in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.

Giving his thoughts on Arsenal’s title charge on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand backed Eze to have a major influence – as long as Arteta allows him to ‘play with the handbrake off’.

‘You know what I think is a key thing? You’ve got to let Eze free. Let Eze go and win you the league,’ the former Manchester United centre-back explained.

‘If Eze is let free and told to go and do it, Eze wins you lot the league right now, I’m telling you.

‘If he’s playing with his handbrake half on then it’s going to long, long 90 minutes for you lot.

‘If you let him just roll and let him go, my man is capable, I think, of dragging you lot over the line.’

Despite their recent setback at the Etihad, the ex-England defender backed Arsenal to ‘shift the momentum’ again and end their 22-year wait for the title this season.

‘Everyone is asking me this all the time and I’m going to put it right to you, I’m going to put your nerves at rest,’ he said.

‘I think Arsenal are going to win it, I think Arsenal have got the easier games, slightly.

‘The fact Arsenal are going to be six points clear, I believe, by the time Manchester City play next, I think the power, the shift of momentum, might just change then.

‘So I’m going to go with you guys [Arsenal] to win the league still.’

According to Ferdinand, ‘it’s Arsenal’s time’ to finally get the monkey off their back and lift the Premier League trophy after three successive runners-up finishes.

‘I think it’s going to be difficult,’ Ferdinand, who won six league titles with Manchester United, went on.

‘I’m not sitting on the fence but I would not be surprised if City win it because they’ve got the experience, they’ve got Pep Guardiola in charge, they’ve got players that understand this run-in.

‘But I just feel it’s your time, man. It’s Arsenal’s time.’

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