Eberechi Eze has found regular game time at Arsenal hard to come by in recent weeks, but he was handed a valuable opportunity in the FA Cup clash against Portsmouth, starting the match and playing the full ninety minutes. With Arsenal winning a fixture they were widely expected to win, the game presented Eze with a clear chance to strengthen his case for greater involvement going forward.
Competition in Arsenal’s midfield
At the beginning of the season, Eze was tipped by many to challenge Martin Odegaard for a place in Arsenal’s midfield. He initially impressed when deployed centrally, particularly after struggling to make the same impact on the wings. However, Odegaard’s return from injury shifted the balance once again. The Norwegian worked his way back into the starting eleven and reestablished himself as a key figure, making it increasingly difficult for Eze to secure regular minutes.
Arsenal are comfortable with this internal competition and view it as a positive situation. They remain confident that Eze is capable of stepping in effectively should Odegaard be unavailable again. His technical quality and creativity make him a reliable alternative, capable of fitting into the team’s structure when needed. However, opportunities to demonstrate that ability are limited, placing greater importance on performances in cup competitions.
Criticism after Portsmouth display
Despite being trusted with a full match against Portsmouth, Eze failed to make the desired impact. His performance drew criticism, with expectations higher given the nature of the opposition and the freedom he was afforded in midfield. The match was widely viewed as an ideal platform for him to assert control and influence proceedings.
As reported by Football Insider, former goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was openly critical of Eze’s display. He said, “I’m a little bit disappointed with Eberechi Eze.
“He is such a good player and this is a game where it is perfectly set up for him to really dominate and he hasn’t.
“A player of his quality, having a free role in the middle of the park, should be taking control of this game more.”
The comments underline the fine margins Eze is currently facing at Arsenal. With strong competition in midfield, he must make the most of every opportunity. Performances like this risk reinforcing his position on the fringes, rather than strengthening his claim for a more prominent role.
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Eze thrives off movement and creativity, two things that are not primary to our style of play.
We have static positioning to pull defenders out wide and create space; we move the ball not players.
We overload sides (mainly the right), and attack from out to in, not centrally.
Eze thrived in the space between LW and attacking midfield, neither of which we have. Our LB inverts, so less space for Eze, and we rarely play through centrally, mostly from the wings, and Eze is not a winger. He is no more a winger than Jesus is a striker.
That being said, it is up to Eze to adjust to Arteta’s style of play, something Eze has not done and partly why his performances are subpar.
For me it needs to work both ways. Yes the player needs to adapt to the managers tactics, but the manager needs to play to the player’s strengths.
I suppose it’s a hard one to balance to be fair.
But it does make me laugh when a club buys a player having liked what they’ve seen. And then get him, and play him in a different position to the one that attracted them in the first place, and then wonder why their not getting their usual levels of performance.
Eze does not appear to have taken on board the work ethic required at Arsenal and often appears on the fringes of games. Not asserting his skills
I expected much from him and left disappointed
I thought Nwaneri had a good game, the sort of performance I was hoping to see from Eze. Hopefully he will get more chances.