Eze's Struggle for Form at Arsenal

Eberechi Eze, known for his unpredictable flair and entertaining play, has seen these trademarks fade recently. His first Premier League start of the season against Nottingham Forest ended with him being substituted at halftime, having barely touched the ball. This performance has raised questions about his ability to replicate past displays.

Eze's place in the squad has faced scrutiny before. A lapse in concentration led to Aston Villa's goal in a December 2025 defeat, resulting in him being benched for subsequent matches. Even England manager Thomas Tuchel noted Eze was "coming back to his true shape and form" in training, implying a less-than-optimal season so far.

The increased focus on Eze's performance stems from Arsenal's failure to secure a new top-tier attacker, despite interest in players like Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez. Although Christos Tzolis was signed, his hamstring injury opened a door for Eze. While Eze scored against Lille in the Champions League, he couldn't build on that against Forest.

"Finding his role and position has been challenging," commented former defender Matt Upson. "At a club like Arsenal, if you're not cementing a specific role, it's tough to keep your place. He's currently playing on the left, which doesn't seem to suit him, but he has to. He doesn't play like a typical winger, and understanding your role is vital at this level."

Eze delivered memorable goals at Crystal Palace, including a winner in the 2025 FA Cup final. "Those spectacular moments, which made Arsenal target him, are the extras," Upson added. "But without a solid foundation—knowing your starting position, your role, and your responsibilities—producing those standout performances becomes difficult."

While Eze excelled from the left at Palace and later played a narrower number 10 role, his opportunities at Arsenal are limited. Martin Odegaard occupies the primary number 10 position, and Arteta's midfield options make it unlikely for them to play together regularly. Upson believes Eze needs to clarify expectations: "It's a process for him to start more games. Figuring that out, along with adapting to the intensity of a big club and a demanding manager, is crucial."

Some argue Eze lacks consistent game time in a single position. However, statistics show he receives substantial playing time. Last season, he started 36 of 63 matches (57%), and since his debut in August 2025, he's started 56% of games (40 out of 72). His 11 goals in 61 appearances have been spread across just eight games. He has also delivered key moments, scoring five against Tottenham, including a hat-trick, and securing title-winning goals against Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Signs of improvement are emerging. This season, albeit with fewer games, Eze's per 90-minute stats show increases in assists, combined goals and assists, shots on target, successful dribbles, and touches in the opposition box compared to the previous campaign.

"We have very talented players, and expectations are high for all of them," manager Mikel Arteta stated. "We demand more from everyone. That's the mindset that drives us to improve individually and as a team. I hope this continues, as it will push us all to reach new levels and develop."

Arsenal faces Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday at 20:00 BST.