Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has called on manager Mikel Arteta to deploy Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice together in midfield for Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
Writing in his Sportskeeda column, Merson described Odegaard and Eze as Arsenal’s most creative midfield options and believes they should be trusted in a game he expects to be decided by technical quality rather than physical battles.
“The whole midfield battle is where things get exciting for me. I think Arsenal should play both Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze alongside Declan Rice,” Merson said.
“PSG have three top players in midfield, but they are not footballers who go around and kick people.
“In that case, this will be a pure football contest in midfield, and Arsenal must play their best creative players in Odegaard and Eze.
“They don’t need extra protection, but they must keep the ball when they have it. If they start giving it away too easily, it’s game over.”
