UMVA has learned that Arsenal star Eberechi Eze is determined to put his penalty heartache in the past and move forward with renewed confidence.
The 27-year-old midfielder, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace last summer, missed a crucial penalty in the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, but he has vowed to learn from the experience and use it as part of his footballing development.
Eze has revealed that he would 'for sure' take a penalty for England at the World Cup if called upon, saying, 'If called upon, for sure. Why wouldn’t I take it? Football is full of everything and you have to try to accept everything as it is, to enjoy it as much as you can.'
The midfielder is one of four Arsenal players in the England squad, along with Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, and Declan Rice, who was named as vice-captain for the tournament.
Eze's missed penalty in the Champions League final was a crushing blow to Arsenal, but he has received support from his teammates and England's coaching staff, who believe he has the mentality to bounce back and perform at his best.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Eze has been reflecting on his experience and is determined to use it as a learning opportunity, saying, 'I think I have taken penalties for a long time and it’s part of the journey. You have to continue to improve, find new ways to improve.'
Eze lifted the Premier League trophy in his debut season with Arsenal and is now focused on making a significant impact at the World Cup.
The England team's manager has expressed his confidence in Eze, stating that he has the full support of his teammates and the coaching staff, and that the extra week of preparation will help him to perform at his best.
Eze's teammates, including Rice, have been in good spirits, and the team's manager believes that their recent Premier League title win has taken a lot of weight off their shoulders, allowing them to focus on the World Cup.
