Eberechi Eze has not featured in Arsenal’s last four Premier League matches, leaving fans and pundits questioning the reason behind the absence of the £67.5m summer signing. The former Crystal Palace playmaker had impressed during the early stages of his Arsenal career, earning praise for his composure, creativity, and influence in midfield. Some supporters even speculated that he could challenge Martin Odegaard for a starting role upon the Norwegian’s return.
However, increased competition in midfield has limited Eze’s opportunities. Odegaard has delivered a series of commanding performances since returning to full fitness, while Mikel Arteta has prioritized fielding what he considers his strongest possible lineup in crucial matches. The focus on consistency and results has left little room for rotation in key areas of the pitch, meaning Eze must wait for his chance to make an impact.
Speaking openly about the situation, Arteta addressed his relationship with the midfielder during an interview with Hayters TV.
“Yes, I speak to every player. And the players always need to understand, and the manager needs to understand, how each one is feeling, assess games, assess their emotional state. Ebs has played more games, more minutes than ever at this time. He’s played 22 out of 28 games or something like this. So he’s never played that much football. So we’re on a good track,”Arteta said.
His comments suggest a long-term approach to player management, emphasizing communication and development even amid competition for places.
Pundits have weighed in on the situation as well. Jamie Redknapp argued that Arteta’s cautious approach to substitutions may be affecting Eze’s opportunities.
“They’re bringing on Merino towards the end of the game and he’s not looking around to bring on Eze or Myles Lewis-Skelly to go and win the game 4-2 or 5-2. He’s thinking, ‘I want to keep hold of what I’ve got.’ That’s the sort of manager he is. I don’t think he’s going to be that expansive,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson also highlighted the strength of Arteta’s squad, comparing their depth and substitution strategy to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at their peak.
“Their squad is so strong, it’s so, so strong. The three substitutions that came on remind me of the old Sir Alex Ferguson Man United teams,” he said, pointing out how the team’s composure and tactical approach have allowed them to dominate games even without rotating heavily.
Despite recent benchings, Arteta has previously praised Eze’s talent and attitude. Following his hat-trick against Tottenham in November, Arteta described Eze’s performance as “unbelievable” and highlighted his work ethic, willingness to learn, and intelligence on the pitch. However, the Arsenal boss has also indicated that Eze needs to continue improving certain aspects of his game to secure more regular minutes in a highly competitive squad.
For now, Eze remains a valued member of Arsenal’s squad, expected to continue working hard in training to force his way back into contention. With Arteta emphasizing long-term management and careful squad rotation, Eze’s challenge will be balancing patience with the ambition to make an impact when opportunities arise.
