'He can create goals, he can score goals' - Patrick Vieira hails Super Eagles target ahead of Arsenal clash

Eberechi Eze will be aiming to replicate his brilliant performance against Montpellier when Crystal Palace face Arsenal in the Premier League on Friday, August 5.

Palace signed off their pre-season with an impressive 4-2 win over French club Montpellier and the Nigeria Football Federation target was one of the standout performers for the Eagles - so much so that he was singled out for praise by manager Patrick Vieira.

The highlight of his performance against Montpellier was his audacious assist for Wilfried Zaha's first goal, flicking the ball over his marker before starting a counter-attack.

Vieira has praised Eze's talents, noting that the Anglo-Nigerian is a creative player who also has the ability to score goals.

The former Super Eagles invitee was sparingly used last season, making only six starts in the Premier League, because his minutes were being managed after recovering from a serious injury that required surgery.

"It’s about the number of minutes [he plays]. He played a lot of friendly games and is in really good shape," Vieira said to Palace TV post-match.

"There’s no doubt about his quality. He can create goals, he can score goals, and again on the other side – how can we help the team to defend better?

"I think today you can see he’s really focusing and concentrated on his position out of possession and he’s playing with belief and confidence."

Former Arsenal schoolboy Eze has not been involved in the last three games played by Crystal Palace against the Gunners but everything indicates that he will be given a runout at Selhurst Park on Friday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : cpfc.co.uk

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