What Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have been saying about the Arsenal squad lately

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Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar currently find themselves in a tough situation at Arsenal ahead of the north London derby on Sunday.

In case you missed it, Martin Odegaard has suffered a worrying ankle injury while playing for Norway, which comes at a terrible time for the Gunners after Declan Rice also picked up a suspension for the clash against Tottenham.

The £31.6m summer signing from Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino, is also injured, so midfield depth is light.

In the meantime, an interesting claim has emerged from Arsenal…

Mikel Arteta feels Arsenal lack a player with the X Factor

Charles Watts has now told Caught Offside what he is hearing from within the Emirates Stadium – particularly about the dynamic of Arsenal’s squad.

When speaking about the Gunners showing tentative interest in Crystal Palace No.10 Eberechi Eze, the respected journalist is quoted as saying: “I know that Arsenal went into the window looking to sign an X Factor type attacker. Someone who could help them unlock tight games with a moment of individual brilliance.

“There was an awareness at the club ahead of the summer that they lacked that type of player and in my opinion Eze could have given them that, but for whatever reason they decided not to make their move and I was a bit disappointed with that.”

The England international has since scored a remarkable freekick against Brentford this season – which was cruelly ruled out – before curling a beautiful effort into the top corner against Chelsea, so he clearly does possess the X Factor Arteta is looking for.

Gunners could sign Crystal Palace No.10 in 2025 for less than release clause

Arsenal may currently be regretting their decision not to pursue the England international over the summer, although the boat has not sailed just yet.

A story from the Daily Mail states that Eze’s £68m release clause reactivates next summer, and Crystal Palace may even be willing to accept a sum under that amount, to help the 26-year-old realise his ambitions of playing European football.

Therefore, unless another player with the X Factor emerges between now and the end of the season – Ethan Nwaneri is one talent capable of supplying something special – Arsenal may look to sign the Crystal Palace playmaker in 2025.