If Mikel Arteta insists on persisting with Eberechi Eze on the left wing, there may be a simple tactical tweak that allows the attacker to finally shine in that role.
Eze has struggled when deployed on the left flank, despite many believing upon his arrival that it was a position he would naturally excel in. At Crystal Palace, Eze often operated as a left-sided number 10, drifting into the front-left channel of their attack. On paper, that role was not far removed from Arsenal’s left wing position, so few expected him to encounter difficulties. Yet the reality has been very different.
Recent matches have shown that Eze looks far more dangerous when playing centrally. His ability to drive at defenders, combine in tight areas, and link play has been evident. In contrast, his spell on the wing, most notably the difficult outing against Aston Villa where he was withdrawn at half-time, has raised doubts about whether that role truly suits him.
Still, if Arteta is determined to keep Eze wide, the answer may lie not in moving the player, but in adjusting the structure around him.
Why Eze struggles on the left wing
One of the core issues with Eze’s use on the left is that he is being asked to provide width while also creating. This limits his natural instincts to drift inside, attack defenders directly, and play closer to goal. When isolated on the touchline, his influence on the game is reduced.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the Villa defeat, Martin Keown highlighted this problem. He noted that Riccardo Calafiori stepping into midfield did little to support Eze and suggested that Arsenal lacked an overlapping presence down the left. According to Keown, Arsenal only began to regain control once changes were made at half-time:
Keown’s observation points to a wider tactical imbalance rather than a failure on Eze’s part. Without a full-back providing width, Eze is forced into areas that do not maximise his strengths.
The simple tweak that could unlock his strengths
If Arsenal want Eze to succeed from the left, the solution appears straightforward. The left-back must overlap consistently, allowing Eze to drift inside rather than hug the touchline. This would enable him to operate closer to the box and combine more effectively with Arsenal’s central playmakers.
A partnership involving Myles Lewis-Skelly could suit this approach. The Hale End graduate has the energy and discipline to provide width, freeing Eze to focus on attacking movements. Calafiori, despite his comfort stepping into midfield, also has the athleticism to play as a traditional overlapping full-back when required.
Crucially, this adjustment would not diminish Arsenal’s creativity. With Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka already offering control and invention, the team has ample quality to dictate games. Restoring a more natural left-side balance could actually enhance Arsenal’s attacking structure.
As Arsenal look to refine their system over the season, these marginal gains matter. For supporters keen to watch how Arteta adapts his tactics, securing Arsenal tickets remains one of the best ways to see these adjustments unfold live at the Emirates.
If Arteta gets this balance right, Eze on the left could yet become a genuine asset rather than a tactical compromise.