Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice insists Eberechi Eze is âgoing to be massiveâ for the Gunners as they look to win the Premier League.
The Gunners beat Newcastle 1-0 on Sunday, thanks to yet another stunning strike from former Crystal Palace star Eze after just nine minutes.
Eze, who has had to be patient to get a starting place in Mikel Artetaâs XI this season, has now contributed ten goals and three assists in all competitions this season.
When asked to give his assessment of Ezeâs thunderbolt, Arsenal midfielder Rice replied: âThatâs what heâs been brought here to do.
âI said a few weeks ago, his ball striking is unbelievable. What a player, what a guy and heâs going to be massive for us these next few weeks. We really need him.â
The England internationalâs goal secured a vital three points for Arsenal, who moved back to the top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City engaged in FA Cup action.
READ: Arsenal did not learn from Liverpool; they added depth and not difference
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday before a home match against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Despite their recent form allowing Man City back into the title race, Rice insists that the feeling around the Arsenal dressing room is positive.
Rice added: âThatâs what itâs been all season and thatâs what we want it to be towards the end of the season â staying top, staying positive.
âThere are four games to go and thatâs what we want to do, keep winning more matches and weâre going to be ready for that.
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âThe three points (against Newcastle) were massive. After the week we had against Manchester City, we knew with five games left, we have to win all five.
âTo tick that one off was a real boost, so weâre really, really happy with the win.â
Arteta: âEze is a big player for usâ
Arteta had similar thoughts on Eze, the Arsenal boss said after the win over Newcastle: âEze is a big player for us and heâs in a really good moment. He produced an incredible moment to score the goal. Hopefully heâs fit and he can be with us on Wednesday.â
Reacting to the narrow victory, Arteta continued: âIâm really happy with the win. We talked about game one and how important that was. We probably should have finished it with a bigger margin in certain moments of the game. But when itâs 1-0, itâs always tough because they have quality, because they brought so many good players from the bench as well.
âWhen we donât finish the action, especially the open ones that we had, the margin is going to be smaller. But in relation to the two players [Havertz and Eze], there are muscular niggles. We donât think itâs too much. We have to wait and see if theyâre going to be available for Wednesday.â
The Gunners beat Newcastle 1-0 on Sunday, thanks to yet another stunning strike from former Crystal Palace star Eze after just nine minutes.
Eze, who has had to be patient to get a starting place in Mikel Artetaâs XI this season, has now contributed ten goals and three assists in all competitions this season.
When asked to give his assessment of Ezeâs thunderbolt, Arsenal midfielder Rice replied: âThatâs what heâs been brought here to do.
âI said a few weeks ago, his ball striking is unbelievable. What a player, what a guy and heâs going to be massive for us these next few weeks. We really need him.â
The England internationalâs goal secured a vital three points for Arsenal, who moved back to the top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City engaged in FA Cup action.
READ: Arsenal did not learn from Liverpool; they added depth and not difference
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday before a home match against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Despite their recent form allowing Man City back into the title race, Rice insists that the feeling around the Arsenal dressing room is positive.
Rice added: âThatâs what itâs been all season and thatâs what we want it to be towards the end of the season â staying top, staying positive.
âThere are four games to go and thatâs what we want to do, keep winning more matches and weâre going to be ready for that.
MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365âŠ
* âHe will still play a big partâ â Merson urges Arteta to recall Arsenal star for Atletico Madrid clash
* Romano reveals truth over â1,000% falseâ Arsenal transfer boost after ÂŁ91m bid
* Arsenal title plan has slight flaw as Arteta aims to go Invincible in ânew leagueâ
âThe three points (against Newcastle) were massive. After the week we had against Manchester City, we knew with five games left, we have to win all five.
âTo tick that one off was a real boost, so weâre really, really happy with the win.â
Arteta: âEze is a big player for usâ
Arteta had similar thoughts on Eze, the Arsenal boss said after the win over Newcastle: âEze is a big player for us and heâs in a really good moment. He produced an incredible moment to score the goal. Hopefully heâs fit and he can be with us on Wednesday.â
Reacting to the narrow victory, Arteta continued: âIâm really happy with the win. We talked about game one and how important that was. We probably should have finished it with a bigger margin in certain moments of the game. But when itâs 1-0, itâs always tough because they have quality, because they brought so many good players from the bench as well.
âWhen we donât finish the action, especially the open ones that we had, the margin is going to be smaller. But in relation to the two players [Havertz and Eze], there are muscular niggles. We donât think itâs too much. We have to wait and see if theyâre going to be available for Wednesday.â
