Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has expressed concern over Eberechi Eze's future at Arsenal, suggesting the £67m star's dream move is in danger of fizzling out.
Eze returned to his spiritual home in the summer following a high-profile transfer from the Eagles, enjoying a glorious homecoming that culminated in a Premier League winner's medal. However, aside from two standout performances against Spurs, his first campaign back in north London largely flattered to deceive, ending with a costly penalty shootout miss in the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Bit-part role continues this season
After playing a bit-part role at the World Cup, Eze has faced more of the same during the opening months of the current season. With Martin Odegaard back to full fitness and operating in the No.10 role, opportunities have been limited.
Given a chance to impress on the left wing on Sunday in the absence of Christos Tzolis, Eze was hauled off at the break and replaced by eventual matchwinner Noni Madueke.
Pardew's tactical concerns
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pardew highlighted the tactical mismatch between Eze and Arteta's system, particularly in the No.10 position.
'In the way that he sets his No.10 up I don't see Eze getting a lot of action there,' Pardew said. 'There's a real defensive side to that position that he likes that Odegaard does that he doesn't do.'
'I think Arteta doesn't feel comfortable with that. I think there's certain games against perhaps lesser opposition where Eze will be given that No.10 shirt.'
Left-wing experiment fails
Pardew also questioned Eze's suitability on the left flank, a position he occasionally occupied at Crystal Palace.
'But I've seen him out on that left-hand side for Crystal Palace a few times and it's just not him, he's never going to go outside and whip left-footed crosses in,' he added.
'He wants to play centrally and make the game too narrow, therefore you've not got enough width. It is a problem and Arteta took him off rightly because it just wasn't working.'
Pardew suggested Arteta should have used Eze differently from the start, saying: 'But in the first instance maybe he shouldn't have picked him there and used him off the bench as an impact No.10.'
'I think that will be his role, if he needs a goal I don't think Eze will be a starter and if they need a moment or he's looking for a moment to give him the last 10 or 15 minutes of games.'
