Eberechi Eze started for Arsenal against Sunderland on Saturday evening, and fans had a lot to say about his performance.
The attacking midfielder has struggled at times for his new club, finding it difficult to get into games against congested low blocks.
Deployed in a midfield trio alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, Eze struggled to impact the game in the opening 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
The former Crystal Palace man’s display may make Mikel Arteta contemplate whether he uses him in this central role moving forward, particularly as Martin Odegaard is expected to return from injury after the international break.
Arsenal fans react to Eberechi Eze’s performance vs Sunderland
Arsenal spent £67.5 million on Eze in the summer.
Thus far scoring twice and registering two assists, he certainly hasn’t produced the returns the Gunners would’ve expected from him at this point in the season.
He didn’t improve the perception around him with his display on Wearside, where he was crowded out in central areas by Sunderland’s impressive low block.
Arsenal fans wanted Eze to play centrally earlier in the season, but during the game against Regis Le Bris’ side on Saturday, the Gunners faithful were calling for the opposite.
One fan wrote on X: “Eze positionally isn’t moving me recently.”
Another added: “Eze been very underwhelming last few weeks just not getting into the game at all.”
One supporter wrote: “Why is Eze looking a little lost?”
Meanwhile, another fan posited: “Eze really needs to do more. Hasn’t shown much in that 10 role.”
Finally, another put, bluntly: “I really don’t like Eze in the midfield.”
Eberechi Eze will look much better in a wider role
Eze was excellent against Nottingham Forest on the left wing for Arsenal earlier in the season.
Generally for Palace, the England international was used as a left-forward in a 3-4-3, operating largely in the left-half spaces.
He’s been asked during Odegaard’s absence to fill in centrally, but slightly to the right, and this is prohibiting him from finding the angles he’s most comfortable trying dangerous things from.
With the Norwegian close to making a return, this isn’t a problem that should persist, but he’s shown that if Arteta wants to use him to cover for the captain, then he needs to slightly reconfigure his attack.
Otherwise, Eze will consistently struggle in a central role.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
