Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has provided insight into why manager Mikel Arteta appears to be overlooking £67.5 million signing Eberechi Eze, suggesting the player's relaxed approach may not align with the Spaniard's high-intensity philosophy.
Eze's Struggle for Minutes at Arsenal
Eberechi Eze's much-anticipated return to his boyhood club last summer has not yet yielded the consistent impact many expected. The England international, who joined from Crystal Palace after snubbing a late move to Tottenham Hotspur, initially showed promise. His historic hat-trick in a dominant 4-1 north London derby victory seemed to cement his place, but he has failed to score since that memorable performance.
Opportunities in the starting lineup have become scarce for the 27-year-old, particularly following a defensive mistake during November's defeat to Aston Villa. The return to full fitness of captain Martin Odegaard has further limited Eze's playing time, creating a selection dilemma for Arteta.
Winterburn's Analysis of Arteta's Preference
Speaking to BetWright, Winterburn contrasted the styles of the two creative midfielders, highlighting why Odegaard currently holds the advantage. 'I think Martin Odegaard is more energetic than Eberechi Eze,' the Arsenal legend stated. 'Odegaard leads the press very well, which is a role I don't think is suited to Eze. He looks a bit laid back as a player – when he comes on, he's got to find the space and demand the ball a bit more.'
Winterburn, who made over 400 appearances for the Gunners, believes Arteta's tactical demands are central to the situation. 'Eze is a player I rate very highly, but it might be a case of Mikel Arteta looking at how hard he wants his team to work. If that's what he wants from his team, then you can understand why he prefers the likes of Odegaard in these types of games.'
Despite his current peripheral role, Winterburn remains optimistic about Eze's future contributions. 'Eze is still a great player with a lot to offer the side and hopefully, he can start to get some game time and we can see the best of him in an Arsenal shirt very soon.'
Arteta's Response to Recent Setbacks
The analysis comes as Arteta addressed his squad's recent dip in form, which saw them take just two points from nine available in their last three Premier League matches. A 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium dealt a blow to their title ambitions, prompting the manager to call a team meeting to 'bring down the temperature.'
Arteta revealed the reflective nature of the discussions, focusing on two key questions: 'How do we feel? And how do I feel myself?' and 'How do we want to live the next four months?' The manager described the outcome as 'encouraging and beautiful,' with the squad recommitting to an ambitious mindset.
'We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions,' Arteta declared. 'In the next four months we're going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and with the conviction that we're going to win it. This is going to be the mindset and where we're going to put our energy.'
The Arsenal boss extended this sentiment to the club's supporters, urging them to 'jump on that boat' and embrace the positive approach as the team competes on multiple fronts.
Arsenal's Current Standing and Challenges
Despite recent stumbles, Arsenal maintain a four-point lead at the Premier League summit. Their European campaign remains flawless as they prepare to host Kairat in the Champions League, while they continue to progress in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
Arteta's challenge now involves balancing squad rotation with maintaining momentum across competitions, with decisions about players like Eze becoming increasingly significant as the season enters its decisive phase.
