Nigel Winterburn Pinpoints Eberechi Eze's Struggles at Arsenal
Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has openly discussed the challenges facing Eberechi Eze during his debut season with the Gunners, highlighting the winger's "laid-back" approach as a key factor in his inconsistent performances.
Eze's Mixed Start After High-Profile Transfer
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal in the summer of 2025 from Crystal Palace for a substantial fee of £67.5 million. His initial months in North London showed flashes of brilliance, including a goal against his former club and a memorable hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in November. However, since that standout performance, Eze has failed to find the net and has frequently been relegated to the bench by manager Mikel Arteta in recent weeks.
Winterburn, speaking in an interview with Metro via Gambling.com, analysed Eze's situation, noting the intense competition for places in Arsenal's attacking midfield. "He's now at a huge club in terms of expectation, and he, Havertz, and Odegaard are battling to be in the same position," Winterburn explained. "The one thing I would say is Odegaard's all energy. Eze looks a little bit more laid-back with the way, the style he plays."
Advice for Improvement and Adaptation
The ex-Gunner urged Eze to become more assertive on the pitch to unlock his full potential. "When he gets that opportunity, I would just like to see him a bit more demanding of the ball in the creative areas and really showing us what we know he can do," Winterburn said. "He's got lovely close control, can pick out a pass, and can score goals."
Despite the criticisms, Winterburn expressed confidence in Eze's ability to adapt and succeed at Arsenal. He acknowledged that settling into a new club, especially under Arteta's demanding high-press system, can take time. "From now to the end of the season, I would think Eze is going to get plenty of game time. He's a player I really like," Winterburn added. "Although we don't like to say it, sometimes, when you sign players, you give them up to a year to completely settle in. We want everyone to hit the ground running and show us exactly what they've got. But Mikel Arteta's style is a high-intensity press. It's a huge amount of workload on the players, and Eze's just got to adapt to that situation."
Arsenal's Current Standing and Upcoming Fixtures
As Arsenal prepare for their upcoming matches, including an FA Cup fourth-round clash against Wigan Athletic and a Premier League encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the team remains at the top of the table. However, their lead has narrowed to just four points over Manchester City following a recent 1-1 draw with Brentford, adding pressure for consistent performances from all squad members, including Eze.
Winterburn's insights shed light on the internal dynamics at Arsenal, emphasising the need for Eze to balance his natural talent with the energetic demands of Arteta's tactical setup to secure a more prominent role and contribute effectively to the Gunners' title ambitions.
