Thierry Henry has issued a clear demand to Eberechi Eze following the midfielder's standout performance in Arsenal's North London Derby clash against Tottenham. Eze scored a brilliant brace, showcasing his talent and helping the Gunners secure a vital victory in this fiercely contested fixture.
Eze's Derby Dominance
Eberechi Eze netted his fifth goal of the campaign against Spurs, placing him third on the list of Premier League goals scored by Arsenal players in this particular derby. Only legends Robert Pires and Emmanuel Adebayor have managed more, highlighting the significance of his contribution. His display left former Arsenal icon Thierry Henry astonished, with the Frenchman praising the midfielder's impact on the match.
Henry's Challenge to Eze
Speaking to Betway, Henry remarked on Eze's performance, noting the rarity of his shots on target since a previous hat-trick against Tottenham. He said, "They said when he scored it was his first shot on target since his hat-trick against Tottenham. I couldn't believe that. The story is great, don't get me wrong, and you should score goals against Tottenham if you want to be a hero for Arsenal."
However, Henry did not stop at mere praise. He challenged Eze to build upon this display, emphasizing the need for consistency. "But now we want more of that," he continued. "We want more of what we saw against Tottenham, all the time. I just hope that this will be the start of something for him at the club."
Henry acknowledged the difficulties of switching teams, referencing Eze's move from Crystal Palace, but urged the midfielder to maintain high standards. "It's not easy for guys to switch teams. The hat-trick against Tottenham was outstanding, and I wanted him to stay on and get another one, but what you want is him to carry on doing what we expect him to do at Arsenal."
Arteta's Management Challenges
The performance comes amid a challenging period for Eze at Arsenal. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted after the fixture that the summer acquisition had grown discontented with him for not selecting him from kick-off in a recent away match at Wolves. Arteta confessed he is still discovering how to extract the optimum performance from the midfielder.
"He scored five goals in the last few games against them, which is extremely difficult to do," Arteta said. "But I could see that he wanted to prove something. He was upset, even with me, because I didn't play him the other day from the beginning, and some of the decisions that I made. And I just have to understand how we're going to get the best out of him now."
This revelation underscores the ongoing adjustments within the squad as Arteta seeks to integrate Eze effectively, balancing player expectations with tactical demands.
Looking Ahead
As Arsenal fans celebrate the derby win, the focus shifts to whether Eze can heed Henry's call and deliver more consistently. With Arteta working to unlock his full potential, the coming matches will be crucial in determining if this performance marks a turning point in Eze's Arsenal career. The pressure is on for the midfielder to prove his worth and become a regular hero for the Gunners in future fixtures.
