Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze believes the club’s challenge has changed after finally winning the Premier League. Mikel Arteta’s side also reached the Champions League final last season, and their 3-0 win over Lille continued an impressive run of form.
Eze was on target in the victory over Lille, and the former Crystal Palace player said the goalposts have moved at the Emirates. He explained that Arsenal are now approaching the campaign from a different position.
“It’s now a different challenge we have,” Eze said. “We achieved something amazing last season and we want to build on that.”
He added: “We’re coming at it at a slightly different angle but the mentality is still the same, to be ruthless and dominate as much as we can.”
Competition for places remains fierce, and Eze welcomed the demand. “It is difficult, every player wants to play,” he said. “The mentality is always to be on the pitch, affect games and earn your place. I’m doing what I can, enjoying what I’m doing.”
He continued: “I am always happy to score, to affect games and be having fun on the pitch and expressing myself.”
On the battle for minutes, Eze also said: “If you don’t want to play you’re not in the right place.”
Arsenal’s win over Lille featured a swift sequence. Only seven minutes and 18 seconds passed between Jurriën Timber giving Arsenal the lead and Bukayo Saka making it 3-0.
The Gunners have so much strength in depth that the Champions League trophy appears to be the target this time around.
Arteta was wary of the challenge posed by Lille. “It’s difficult in the Champions League, Lille are a brilliant team,” he said.
“But winning helps, the energy will be good when we start to prepare the Sunday game,” Arteta added.
Arsenal’s title success has shifted expectations, and Eze is embracing the new challenge. With a 3-0 win over Lille behind them, Arteta’s players will now prepare for the Sunday game, carrying the energy that comes from winning.
