'Magnificent' Arsenal signing could be 'world superstar' despite 'be better' Champions League criticism

Eberechi Eze has settled well into life at Arsenal, already looking like he has been part of the Emirates furniture for some time.

The England international looked visibly excited about making his Champions League debut, however, he learned the hard way about how big a step up it is from the day-to-day normality that is the Premier League.

With the score at 0-0, Gabriel Martinelli showed the 27-year old how it is done by making an immediate impression with a goal and an assist. The positive being that Mikel Arteta finally has the sort of depth that he has been crying out for.

Eberechi Eze praised as potential world star

Speaking on TNT punditry duty, former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman hailed Arsenal’s move for Eze claiming that the move could help him become one of the best players around.

"I think it was a magnificent signing," he said. "He's potentially a world superstar. When he plays at the biggest stadiums and in bigger competitions, he will get better. He looks like one of those players who takes it on his back and thinks 'this is very easy'."

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was also full of praise for the summer arrival, claiming: "With Eze, it's interesting seeing the players react when he gets the ball, thinking 'he's gonna find me'. I think he's a game changer. It's a really significant signing."

The versatility of Eze means that he can play anywhere behind a central striker and has the technical ability needed to make a difference at Champions League level. It takes more than talent alone to mix it with the best though.

McManaman urges Eze to do better after Champions League struggles

After the 2-0 win against Athletic Club, McManaman wasn’t quite as complimentary about Eze, suggesting that the occasion might have been too much for the 27-year old, via TNT Sports:

“Eze will watch tonight’s performance and think to himself ‘this is a different class of opposition, they’re quicker, they’re stronger than I faced in the Premier League and with Crystal Palace ’.

“He knows now his level of game will have to jump up. You are now playing big boy’s football in the Champions League against the best teams around. If you want to compete, you have to be better and you have to be quicker than he showed tonight.”

On paper, Eze didn’t do much wrong in terms of successful dribbles 2/3, accurate crosses and accurate long balls, he was also only dispossessed once. The problem is, Martinelli and Lisandro Trossard came off the bench and showed the sort of pace, intensity and mentality needed to make a difference in the Champions League where safety first isn’t going to win games.