If you ignore his underwhelming display on Sunday, it has largely been a positive start to life at Arsenal for Eberechi Eze.
Despite it taking him a little while to get up to speed with what Mikel Arteta wants from him, the former Crystal Palace star has already amassed five goals and four assists for the team in 18 games.
Moreover, he’s already etched his name into the club’s history books by scoring an unreal hat-trick in the North London Derby, the first anyone has scored since 1978.
Appearances
18
Starts
14
Minutes
1216′
Goals
5
Assists
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.5
Minutes per Goal Involvement
135.11′
Points per Game
2.50
So, fans should be delighted about reports linking Arsenal with someone who could be the club’s future Eze.
Arsenal target their future Eze
With the transfer window reopening next month, Arsenal have once again begun being linked with a host of talented players.
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For example, Nottingham Forest’s £79m Murillo has been touted for a move to the Emirates, as has his £120m teammate Elliot Anderson.
Yet, as talented and potentially game-changing as the two Forest men are, neither one could be described as Eze-like, nor a long-term heir to him, unlike Holger Quintero.
Yes, according to a recent ESPN report, Arsenal are looking to sign the highly rated teenage talent.
In fact, the report has revealed that the club have already agreed a deal in principle for the midfielder and his twin brother, Edwin Quintero.
The two 16-year-olds are said to be in London at the moment to iron out the final details of the move, with an official announcement to come at a later date.
They will then move to the Emirates in August 2027, when they are both 18, due to rules around foreign-born youngsters.
Holger Quintero is unlikely to make an impact on the team for some time, but based on what those in the know say about him, he could prove to be Arsenal’s next Eze.
Why Holger Quintero will be Arsenal's next Eze
Now, the first thing to say is that given Eze is still just 27 and in fine form, there is little chance of Quintero coming in to replace him.
However, five or six years from now, when the former is ageing out, the latter could be the ideal player to step in and add creativity to the midfield.
At least it sounds like that is the case based on what those in the know are saying, like Ben Mattinson.
The Como scout has described the 16-year-old as a “skilful attacking midfielder with 1v1 prowess to take on players,” which sounds an awful lot like the former Palace star.
Moreover, he highlights that, in addition to his close control, the teenager also has an “excellent weight of pass” and is a “decisive creator with a killer final ball.”
That combination of being a direct threat while also creating ample opportunities for teammates is just like the Englishman at his best.
It’s not just Mattinson raving about the young phenom, though, as U23 scout Antonio Mango has described him as someone who is blessed with “high technical & intellect qualities” and is “effective in all thirds of the pitch.”
Finally, if that still isn’t enough, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has been bold enough to describe the midfielder as “one of the most exciting U17s in South America.”
Ultimately, while it is too early in his career, Quintero looks like an exceptional superstar in the making, and his combination of incredible close control and game-breaking passing means he could be the perfect long-term heir to Eze.
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