Bukayo Saka supports Eberechi Eze as Arsenal star shares 'very special' update

Eberechi Eze was delighted to score his first goal for Arsenal. The 27-year-old midfielder fired Mikel Arteta's side to victory over Port Vale on Wednesday night, booking the Gunners a place in the Carabao Cup fourth round against Brighton.

Eze, who joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace in a deal worth £67.5m during the summer transfer window, put Arsenal ahead inside the opening 10 minutes. Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly combined well on the left-hand side before the ball fell to their new teammate.

The England international opened up his body and stroked the ball into the far bottom corner. Shortly after Eze was replaced by Declan Rice in the second half, Leandro Trossard doubled the north London outfit's lead.

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In an interview with Sky Sports after the game, the former Palace talisman was asked what it's like to have scored his first goal for Arsenal. He said: "Very special. Something I've been working towards for a long time.

"It's a difficult place to come, solid team, it's important to get a first goal and move forwards. There is a lot of depth in the squad, special players coming off the bench who can bring fresh energy."

Then, later in the evening, Eze marked the occasion with a celebratory post on Instagram, which eclipsed 150,000 likes overnight. He wrote: "Love for the support! Through to the next round and first goal! God is great."

Gabriel Magalhaes, who was omitted from the squad to face Port Vale, posted a red heart emoji and a praying emoji under Eze's post, while Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, among others, showed their support with a 'like'.

Arteta was also very complimentary of Eze in his post-match press conference, but the Arsenal boss pointed out that the best is yet to come. Speaking to reporters at Vale Park, the Spaniard said: "He played very centrally against a team that's obviously with a 5-4-1; they are a super compact inside.

"It's not easy to find spaces, but he's very capable with the ball. You've seen that in another three or four actions that he's completely through, and playing people through.

"He still needs a little more time with those guys to understand the timings, especially the things that he needs to do. Then actions like that will be more consistent and better for us. In general, very good - there is still a lot more to give, I think."

On whether Eze is one of Arsenal's most versatile players, Arteta added: "Yes, and at the end, what we want to do with him is to get him in positions, in spaces, that he can create his magic moments and the difference in the team.

"Some of that will be from the wide areas, some of that will be from the right or left in relation to the opposition."

Arsenal will host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup during the week commencing October 27. On facing the Seagulls, Arteta said: "A tough one.

"At least we’re at home, so that’s always a positive thing. But we know they are a top side and it will be a difficult night."