{"id":1990,"date":"2026-04-29T04:01:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T04:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1990"},"modified":"2026-04-29T04:01:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T04:01:34","slug":"rio-ferdinand-names-player-who-can-drag-arsenal-over-the-line-in-title-race-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1990","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand names player who can ‘drag Arsenal over the line’ in title race | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Eberechi Eze can win the title for Arsenal if given the \u2018freedom\u2019 to play, says Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says Eberechi Eze could be \u2018key\u2019 in this year\u2019s title race and has the ability to \u2018drag Arsenal over the line\u2019 if given license to express himself.<\/p>\n

Arsenal overcame Newcastle in a tight 1-0 victory to reclaim top spot in the Premier League at the weekend, with Eze\u2019s sublime ninth-minute strike proving decisive in front of an anxious Emirates crowd.<\/p>\n

It was a welcome return to winning ways for the Gunners, who had slipped to second place as Manchester City edged out Burnley in midweek, fresh from beating Mikel Arteta\u2019s men at the Etihad.<\/p>\n

Eze had also impressed against City and hit the post with an exqusite curled strike from the edge of the box when the scoreline was still level at 1-1, following earlier efforts from Rayan Cherki and Kai Havertz.<\/p>\n

Just moments later, Erling Haaland scored what proved to be the winning goal for City and Eze was replaced for Leandro Trossard in the 74th minute \u2013 a decision which was widely criticised after the full-time whistle, with Paul Scholes and Patrick Vieira among those left scratching their heads.<\/p>\n

There was some concern as Eze was forced off with a suspected muscle problem in Saturday\u2019s defeat of Newcastle, but the former Crystal Palace man appears to have shaken off the injury and was pictured in training on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old midfielder will no doubt be desperate to continue his run in the side for both of Arsenal\u2019s upcoming clashes with Atletico Madrid and Fulham in the Champions League and Premier League respectively.<\/p>\n

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Eze is arguably playing his best football yet since joining Arsenal (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The England international appears to have put to bed concerns over his fitness (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Giving his thoughts on Arsenal\u2019s title charge on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand backed Eze to have a major influence \u2013 as long as Arteta allows him to \u2018play with the handbrake off\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018You know what I think is a key thing? You\u2019ve got to let Eze free. Let Eze go and win you the league,\u2019 the former Manchester United centre-back explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018If Eze is let free and told to go and do it, Eze wins you lot the league right now, I\u2019m telling you.<\/p>\n

\u2018If he\u2019s playing with his handbrake half on then it\u2019s going to long, long 90 minutes for you lot.<\/p>\n

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\u2018If you let him just roll and let him go, my man is capable, I think, of dragging you lot over the line.\u2019<\/p>\n

Despite their recent setback at the Etihad, the ex-England defender backed Arsenal to \u2018shift the momentum\u2019 again and end their 22-year wait for the title this season.<\/p>\n

\u2018Everyone is asking me this all the time and I\u2019m going to put it right to you, I\u2019m going to put your nerves at rest,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

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Will Arsenal end their wait for the title this season?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018I think Arsenal are going to win it, I think Arsenal have got the easier games, slightly.<\/p>\n

\u2018The fact Arsenal are going to be six points clear, I believe, by the time Manchester City play next, I think the power, the shift of momentum, might just change then.<\/p>\n

\u2018So I\u2019m going to go with you guys (Arsenal) to win the league still.\u2019<\/p>\n

According to Ferdinand, \u2018it\u2019s Arsenal\u2019s time\u2019 to finally get the monkey off their back and lift the Premier League trophy after three successive runners-up finishes.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it\u2019s going to be difficult,\u2019 Ferdinand, who won six league titles with Manchester United, went on.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m not sitting on the fence but I would not be surprised if City win it because they\u2019ve got the experience, they\u2019ve got Pep Guardiola in charge, they\u2019ve got players that understand this run-in.<\/p>\n

\u2018But I just feel it\u2019s your time, man. It\u2019s Arsenal\u2019s time.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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