How Eberechi Eze differs to Martin Odegaard as Mikel Arteta faces huge Arsenal dilemma

An Arsenal legend - speaking exclusively to Sports Mole - has highlighted the key difference between Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard as Mikel Arteta prepares for the best kind of selection dilemma.

The Gunners skipper did not recover from his knee injury in time for Sunday's visit of North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, but in Odegaard's absence, his deputy Eze produced one of the finest individual derby displays in recent memory.

The 27-year-old became just the fourth man to score an NLD hat-trick, and the first to do so in the Premier League, haunting the side who tried and failed to sign him in the summer during a 4-1 Emirates embarrassment.

In addition, Leandro Trossard provided a goal and assist from the left flank, and the in-form Belgian has now directly contributed to at least one goal in all of his appearances in November so far

As a result, ex-Gunners left-back Nigel Winterburn has exclusively told Sports Mole that Odegaard could find it difficult to win his place back, and the Premier League winner also explained how he differs to Eze.

How Eberechi Eze differs to Martin Odegaard in Arsenal setup

“You don't want people comfy," Winterburn said. "You want people having to push for their positions, push for the right to be named in that first XI.

"Odegaard was out before and the team did very well. But Odegaard as well is a special talent. His play is different to Eze. I thought Eze's work rate yesterday was really good.

“Odegaard is usually the front press for Arsenal. He's the link-up player as well with Saka down the right-hand side. I think Eze has a bit more movement.

"But that's what you want. If your big players are out injured, you want to see that there's a fight on to come back into the team.

“And for me this is the best squad we've had for a very, very long time. If not the best squad in terms of depth that we've had since we've been at the Emirates.”

It's a North London derby hat-trick for Ebere Eze! ? pic.twitter.com/Hzr9hb5iaQ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 23, 2025

Eze had shown flashes of his quality before Sunday's scintillating display - most notably a fine assist for Gabriel Martinelli in September's 1-1 draw with Manchester City and a brilliant winner against old club Crystal Palace in October.

Nigel Winterburn picks out most pleasing aspect of Eberechi Eze's Spurs goals

However, the England international undoubtedly produced his best performance in a red and white shirt so far on Sunday, when he could have struck a fourth goal had Guglielmo Vicario not made a strong save in the second half.

Eze produced two clinical finishes with his right foot and a calm strike with his left, and Winterburn highlighted the execution of the 27-year-old's goals as the most pleasing aspect of his performance.

“It was just the quality of the finishes for me," he added. "They were outstanding. But I thought it was a brilliant team performance, even after 20 minutes. We looked far superior. And then we started to find a little bit of space with the finishes.

“Good movement up front, and it looked as if we were way too strong for Tottenham. And we were. It was a strong, convincing performance from the team. I think it sent out a statement.

“But if you're just looking at an individual performance, when you get a hat-trick, you deserve all the accolades that you get. And I loved watching Eze when he was at Crystal Palace. Now he's at my team, I'm going to be even more excited to watch him play. He's got such unbelievable talent.”

Eze will now reunite with ex-Palace teammate Michael Olise in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, which Arteta has received a significant injury boost for.

Nigel Winterburn was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of BetBrain.