Eze's Arsenal Struggles Continue After Brentford Substitution
Eberechi Eze has been told that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta 'doesn't fancy him' after the midfielder was substituted at half-time during the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Brentford. The 27-year-old, making his first Premier League start in two months, was replaced by Martin Odegaard, who immediately sparked an improved performance from the North London side.
Ineffective Display Raises Transfer Concerns
Eze's ineffective 45-minute display has intensified scrutiny over his £67.5million summer transfer from Crystal Palace. Since joining his boyhood club in August, the England international has managed just five goals and two assists across all competitions. While three of those goals came in a memorable hat-trick against Tottenham in November, Eze has failed to maintain that form through the winter months.
Former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch offered a blunt assessment after the match, telling TNT Sports: 'I believe he hadn't started in the last nine or something like that, so he got a start today and you think 'right go and impress.' Unfortunately he just felt off the boil, he couldn't get on the ball in the first half.'
Contrasting Opinions on Eze's Arsenal Future
Crouch elaborated further on Eze's performance, noting: 'It was difficult for Arsenal in general. I felt for him. And he doesn't give you what Odegaard gives you in pressing and he doesn't affect it when he hasn't got the ball. He was a bit of a passenger, if I'm being honest, we called it half an hour in that he was going to come off because for some reason it feels at the moment he [Arteta] doesn't fancy him. That is going to damage his England's chances.'
However, Arsenal legend Martin Keown offered a more sympathetic perspective, disagreeing with Crouch's assessment. Keown explained: 'To say he doesn't fancy him, I think it's more a case the player doesn't quite understand the structure in the same way that Odegaard does. Odegaard knows exactly where to be when the opposition have the ball and then picking up those little spaces, little passes and building play. That's something Odegaard does well and Eze hasn't quite picked that up yet. It will come in time, I'm sure it will.'
Broader Implications for Arsenal's Season
The debate surrounding Eze's performance comes at a crucial time for Arsenal, who saw their lead quickly evaporate after Odegaard's introduction against Brentford. The Norwegian captain helped Arsenal take the lead shortly after coming on, but the Gunners soon conceded an equalizer and had to settle for a disappointing draw.
This result compounds Arsenal's recent struggles and raises broader questions about squad depth and player integration. Eze's situation highlights the challenges facing expensive signings adapting to Arteta's specific tactical demands, with the manager showing little patience for players who fail to execute his system effectively.
The coming weeks will be critical for Eze's Arsenal career, as he seeks to prove his worth and silence critics who question whether his substantial transfer fee represents value for money. With European qualification and domestic cup competitions on the line, Arteta faces difficult selection decisions that could determine both Eze's future and Arsenal's season trajectory.
