Arsenal defender William Saliba has built his reputation by stopping some of world football’s most dangerous forwards. Since arriving in North London, he has produced standout displays against elite attackers like Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland—names that would worry most centre-backs.
For Saliba, though, those battles have become part of the job. He thrives in those moments, stays calm under pressure, and makes defending look effortless.
But despite facing global superstars, there is one attacker Saliba says consistently gave him real problems—someone who is now wearing the Arsenal badge alongside him.
And that player is Eberechi Eze.
The surprising player Saliba calls a “nightmare”
Arsenal’s capture of Eze from Crystal Palace was one of the standout moves of the summer window. It wasn’t just about signing a talented playmaker; it was about bringing in someone who genuinely wanted to wear the red shirt.
A boyhood Arsenal supporter and a former Hale End prospect, Eze’s return to the Emirates felt like a homecoming that had been delayed by fate.
Since joining, he has shown flashes of the magic he produced at Palace. The most memorable moment of his Arsenal career so far came in the biggest game of all—a sensational hat-trick in the North London Derby, instantly making him a fan favourite.
But while supporters rave about his flair, one Arsenal teammate has a different perspective—one shaped through years of direct duels.
Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, Saliba opened up about what it was like facing Eze in training sessions and previous league encounters.
“Since I arrived at Arsenal, I have played a lot against him, and I watched him a lot. He’s unbelievable,” Saliba said.
“Technically, he is so good. When you give him the ball, he’s never under pressure. He trusts himself, he can score, he can pass, and he wears the number 10 as well. So he has to be good with the ball.
But yeah, it was a nightmare to play against him. Having him in my team now is good because he can bring us to a top, top level.”
For a defender of Saliba’s calibre to describe someone as a “nightmare” says everything about the qualities Eze brings—tight control, unpredictable movement, and the confidence to take on any opponent.
A talent Arsenal have long admired
What makes this story even more compelling is the history. Eze wasn’t just any signing—he was a player Arsenal had watched closely for years.
His path took him through rejection, lower-league football, and eventually to becoming one of Crystal Palace’s most influential stars. Throughout that journey, his admiration for Arsenal never faded.
When the opportunity finally came in the summer, Arsenal moved quickly and decisively, beating several Premier League rivals to secure his signature.
Inside the club, the belief has always been that Eze offers something different. He breaks lines, carries the ball effortlessly, and plays with a natural swagger that complements Arteta’s possession-focused system.
And Saliba’s testimony only reinforces how highly rated he is behind the scenes.
Eze’s growing influence at Arsenal
While he has had bright moments since arriving, including that unforgettable derby hat-trick, Eze’s season has also included spells of adaptation.
Arteta has used him in multiple roles—central attacking midfield, deeper midfield, and at times off the left wing. His versatility is an asset, but it has also meant he’s still searching for a consistent starting position.
Still, there’s no doubt he adds something unique to Arsenal’s attack:
Ball retention under pressure Progressive dribbling Creative passing between the lines A goal threat from distance and inside the box
It’s no surprise Saliba is relieved he doesn’t have to be the one marking him anymore.
Will Eze start against Aston Villa?
Eze was named on the bench against Brentford last weekend, with Martin Ødegaard reclaiming his starting spot and delivering a strong performance.
With the Norwegian fully fit and back in rhythm, Arteta now faces a difficult selection call heading into Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa.
As things stand, Eze may once again start among the substitutes—unless Arteta chooses to shake things up in the front line.
One option is to rest Gabriel Martinelli and deploy Eze on the left. It might sound bold, but history is on his side:
the last time Eze played as a left-winger against Aston Villa, he produced a masterclass (two goals and an assist) in a 5–0 win.
That performance alone is enough to make his inclusion tempting.
