Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton believes he’s figured out how to stop Arsenal’s new creative force Eberechi Eze — and he plans to put that theory to the test when the two sides meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 26 October 2025.
Eze has hit the ground running since his £67.5 million summer move from Palace to Arsenal, scoring once and providing three assists in ten appearances. His form has drawn praise from across the Premier League, with Theo Walcott recently claiming the 27-year-old “will unlock everything” for the Gunners’ attack.
But for Wharton, this weekend’s reunion is about more than admiration. Speaking to Sky Sports, the 20-year-old midfielder explained how inside knowledge from his time training with Eze could help Palace contain the in-form playmaker.
Adam Wharton’s plan to contain Eberechi Eze
“I’ve trained with him many times and played with him, so I know how good he can be. Maybe just have to get into him a bit — see if he’s up for the challenge. He sort of wants you to dangle that foot in, so I’ll try to let him make the first move and react off that.” — Adam Wharton, Sky Sports
Wharton admits stopping Eze won’t be easy, but familiarity might give him a small edge. The Palace midfielder believes patience and timing are key when facing a player of Eze’s agility and flair.
“Players like that want to tempt you in,” he said. “If you stay disciplined and read the moment, you can limit their influence.”
Palace will need every ounce of that discipline at the Emirates, especially with Arsenal looking to maintain their push at the top of the table.
Eberechi Eze thriving at Arsenal
Since swapping Selhurst Park for North London, Eze has quickly become one of Arsenal’s most influential figures. With Martin Ødegaard limited by injuries this season, the England international has stepped up as the Gunners’ main creative outlet, drifting between midfield lines and linking seamlessly with Bukayo Saka and Gyokeres.
| Stat (2025/26) | Eberechi Eze |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 12 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Chances Created | 18 |
| Dribbles Completed | 82% |
source: sofascore match data – 24 October 2025
Those numbers underline why Eze’s mix of flair, composure and ball-carrying has made him a key cog in Mikel Arteta’s system — and a player opponents are desperate to find answers for.
Eze’s growing reputation among Premier League peers
The plaudits for Eze haven’t stopped at Arsenal. Fulham’s Josh King recently compared him to Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala — one of Europe’s brightest young stars.
“Eze is one where I watch and think technically on the ball, he’s so clean. He’s so good with it. Players like Musiala — they can turn, drive, score and assist. Those two stick out to me.” — Josh King
That praise reflects how quickly Eze has gone from under-the-radar talent to one of England’s most complete attacking midfielders — a player capable of dictating games at the highest level.
Our View: Wharton’s test and Eze’s evolution
In our view, Sunday’s matchup represents a fascinating contrast — the apprentice versus the artist. Wharton’s composure and positioning have impressed under Oliver Glasner, but facing Eze in Arsenal’s fluid attack is an entirely different challenge.
Eze’s intelligence in manipulating space and tempo makes him difficult to pin down, yet Wharton’s calmness under pressure could frustrate him if Palace stay compact. Expect an intriguing tactical battle between familiarity and flair.
Key Insights
- Adam Wharton says he “knows how to stop” former teammate Eberechi Eze.
- Eze has one goal and three assists since joining Arsenal from Crystal Palace for £67.5m.
- Wharton plans to stay patient and react to Eze’s movements rather than diving in.
- Eze has stepped up during Martin Ødegaard’s injury absence.
- Arsenal host Crystal Palace on Sunday, 26 October 2025, at the Emirates Stadium.
What’s Next
Arsenal head into Sunday’s London derby looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. For Palace, it’s another chance to test themselves against elite opposition before a midweek Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool.
Wharton versus Eze could define the rhythm of the match — and whichever side wins that duel may well decide the result.
👉 Can Adam Wharton really stop Eberechi Eze, or will Arsenal’s new playmaker prove unstoppable again?
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