Gary Neville has urged Mikel Arteta to drop Christos Tzolis for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea, insisting he would be “stunned” if Eberechi Eze does not start after his impressive second-half performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.
Tzolis has made an encouraging start to life at the Emirates. He impressed throughout pre-season, provided two assists against Manchester City in the Community Shield, and caught the eye in Arsenal’s opening Premier League win over Coventry City. The foundations were there for a strong debut season.
But his difficult first half at Villa Park has opened up a genuine selection debate on Arsenal’s left side. Tzolis struggled to influence the game and Arteta responded decisively, withdrawing him at the interval in favour of Eze. The change worked immediately, Eze brought greater physicality and creativity between the lines, and he was directly involved in the move that led to Bukayo Saka’s winning goal.
With Arsenal now facing Chelsea in what promises to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the early season, Neville believes the evidence from Villa Park can’t be ignored.
The context makes the decision more significant too. Arsenal sold Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus this summer, leaving Eze with a considerably greater attacking responsibility than he has previously carried at the club.
‘I would be stunned’
Speaking on his podcast, Neville made his recommendation to Mikel Arteta ahead of a clash versus Chelsea.
“It’s a big game and Mikel Arteta might just have to tell Tzolis, ‘I’m not going to put you into this one but watch this match,'” he said. “Eze has a bit more strength about him and certainly more experience in the Premier League.”
He added: “I would be stunned if Eze doesn’t play next week because he played really well in the second half at Aston Villa.”
It is not a dismissal of Tzolis, but a recognition that the demands of facing Chelsea differ significantly from those of facing Coventry, and that Eze’s profile suits Sunday’s challenge more naturally.
Why Eze makes sense
Neville’s argument carries real weight when you consider the nature of the opposition. Chelsea will offer far more physicality and midfield pressure than Arsenal have faced in their opening fixtures, and Eze’s Premier League experience and ability to receive the ball under pressure could prove invaluable.
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He is comfortable drifting centrally to create overloads, carries more strength when protecting possession, and has already demonstrated this season that he can change a game from a substitute role.
Whether Arteta agrees with Neville’s assessment and rewards that Villa Park cameo with a starting place against Chelsea remains his call, but on the evidence of the last week, it would be a difficult one to argue against.