Eberechi Eze is facing increasing pressure to prove himself at Arsenal following a difficult start to life at the Emirates Stadium after his £70 million move from Crystal Palace last summer.
The 28-year-old England international has struggled to establish himself in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, raising doubts about his long-term role in the team.
Eze was handed a starting opportunity against Nottingham Forest but failed to make the desired impact and was substituted at half-time. Noni Madueke replaced him and subsequently scored the winning goal in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has now expressed serious concerns about Eze’s performances, suggesting that the midfielder could be running out of opportunities to convince Arteta.
😳 Why Is Arsenal Worried About Eze?
Eze has started only four of his nine appearances this season, with just one start coming in the Premier League. His limited involvement has raised questions about whether he still has Arteta’s full confidence.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown delivered a blunt assessment of the former Crystal Palace star’s performances.
According to Brown, Eze has shown flashes of brilliance since joining Arsenal, but he has not produced enough consistent performances to establish himself as an automatic starter.
The former scout also questioned where Eze fits into Arteta’s tactical system, arguing that he has struggled to make a consistent impact both on the wing and in midfield.
Brown acknowledged Eze’s ability to be a match-winner when performing at his best but suggested that Arsenal have not seen that quality often enough.
He added that the midfielder must take advantage of the opportunities he receives, warning that his position in the squad could become increasingly difficult to defend if his performances do not improve.
👀 Half-Time Substitution Raises Further Questions
Eze’s substitution against Nottingham Forest has intensified the debate surrounding his place in the Arsenal team.
Starting on the left side of the attack, he struggled to influence proceedings before Arteta replaced him with Madueke at the interval.
His performance included misplaced passes, possession losses and several unsuccessful duels, leaving questions about his overall contribution.
The growing competition for attacking positions could make matters even more challenging for the 28-year-old.
Arsenal are reportedly still interested in signing another left-winger during the January transfer window after failing to secure their preferred target in the summer.
Should the Gunners strengthen that position, Eze could find himself further down the pecking order unless he improves his performances.
🔴 What Happens Next for Eze?
Despite the growing criticism, Eze still has an opportunity to turn his Arsenal career around. However, he will need to deliver more consistent displays to convince Arteta that he deserves a regular starting role.
With competition for places increasing and January approaching, the coming weeks could prove crucial in determining his standing within the squad.
Will Eberechi Eze fight his way back into Arsenal’s starting XI, or could his difficult spell at the Emirates continue? 👀
