Rio Ferdinand has criticised Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Eberechi Eze, questioning where the Crystal Palace midfielder would fit into Mikel Arteta’s system.

“I don’t think Arsenal need Eze. Why do they need him? Where is he going to play?” Ferdinand said. “You’ve got Martin Zubimendi as a holding midfielder, Declan Rice on the left of the No.8 role, and Martin Ødegaard on the right.

“Then there are the wingers — Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli. Eze operates in the same area as Rice. If Rice played as a holding midfielder, I’d take Eze in a heartbeat. He’d add depth and allow rotation. But if Rice gets injured, who’s the replacement? Max Dowman.”Always a hater