Mikel Arteta has issued a clear directive to Eberechi Eze, calling for the Arsenal midfielder to build on his standout display in the FA Cup and deliver consistently against sterner competition. The Gunners secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, advancing to the fifth round of the competition with ease.
Eze's Impact in Arsenal's Dominant Win
Arsenal raced to a four-goal lead within just 27 minutes, with Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus finding the net, complemented by an own goal from Jack Hunt. Eze was instrumental in the early onslaught, providing two exceptional assists from deep positions that unlocked Wigan's defense for Madueke and Martinelli's goals.
This performance marked a positive turn for the 27-year-old England international, who has faced challenges in maintaining form and a regular starting spot in Arteta's lineup. Despite starting in the Premier League clash against Brentford recently, he was substituted at halftime, making his contribution against Wigan all the more significant.
Arteta's Praise and Expectations
When asked if Eze's showing could boost his confidence, Arteta responded emphatically. 'Yes, some superb goals and his intentions, I think the risk that he took in the final third, the amount of shots that he tried to take as well, I think that’s really positive,' the manager stated. 'That’s what I want from him.'
Arteta emphasized the importance of creative players seizing such moments. 'Those players need those moments and especially when we talk about the creative players, they need to feel that they are producing those moments and I’m very happy with that,' he added, also commending Martinelli's efforts in the match.
Eze's Role Amidst Arsenal's Busy Schedule
With Arsenal leading the Premier League, competing in the Champions League and FA Cup, and set to face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Eze's involvement is set to increase. Arteta confirmed this, noting, 'Yes, he’s already playing a big role. He’s played a lot of games for us and he will continue to do that.'
The absence of Martin Odegaard due to injury further underscores Eze's potential importance in upcoming fixtures. Arteta provided an update on Odegaard, saying, 'Martin we’ll have to wait and see. He picked that knock on the action when we conceded the goal [vs Brentford] and he wasn’t fit for today.'
Teammate Recognition and Future Challenges
Noni Madueke lauded Eze's performance, remarking, 'Yeah, he was unbelievable today. He pulled all the strings from the middle and had a hand in all the goals so I’m really pleased for him.' This endorsement highlights the midfielder's ability to influence games when given the opportunity.
Arsenal will learn their FA Cup fifth-round opponent on Monday, adding to a hectic schedule that includes a Premier League trip to Wolves on Wednesday. As the club pursues a potential quadruple, Arteta's call for Eze to elevate his game could prove pivotal in their trophy ambitions.
