Arsenal defender William Saliba said he is pleased to play alongside Eberechi Eze, describing him as a “nightmare” to play against.
Eze moved to the Emirates from Crystal Palace in a £67.5million move in August and has made an impressive start to life at his boyhood club, announcing himself with a hat-trick in the north London derby last month.
Saliba said he does not miss lining up opposite the Briton, adding that he believes Eze can help Arsenal hit a new level.
“Since I arrived in Arsenal, I played a lot against him and I watch him a lot. He is an unbelievable player,” he said, speaking on the Men in Blazers show.
“So good technically, can score and can pass. It was a nightmare to play against him and to have him in my team now is good because (he) can bring us to the top level.
“He has made important assists on important goals, when we needed him, and I think he's not finished. Really gives us a lot of contribution, he's a joy to watch him play and to be with us.
“(He has) the number ten on his back as well, so he has to be good with the ball. We trust him and we know that he's a top player for us.
“When you give him the ball he's never under pressure. He trusts himself.”
Saliba went on, reflecting on the mentality shift in Arsenal’s squad this season which has helped to accelerate their title push.
The Frenchman feels the side have been more confident this campaign, a change he puts down to the arrival of coach Gabriel Heinze, a former Argentina international appointed to Mikel Arteta’s backroom staff this summer.
According to Saliba, Heinze’s intensity has helped the Gunners keep their energy up.
“I think we have a good staff for that,” Saliba explained, asked how Arsenal had developed their mental game.
“Heinze helps us a lot, especially the defenders.
“He gives us energy because he’s always talking, always loud - even in training when we do simple things, he’s always loud. Even for nothing, he will be loud!
“He talks a lot and it’s good to have him close to us. I think this guy can help us a lot.”
