Eberechi Eze made his return from injury in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
The Gunners’ disappointing domestic run has continued. They have lost each of the last three games they have played in England and are in a worrying run.
Mikel Arteta started the game with Kai Havertz as Arsenal’s attacking midfielder, but that didn’t really work. The Arsenal boss turned to Eze early in the second half, hoping he would provide a spark.
Unfortunately for the North Londoners, that didn’t happen either.
Who was Arsenal’s worst performer against Bournemouth?
Martin Keown says Eberechi Eze didn’t look like himself during Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Arsenal’s creativity has been their biggest issue this season, especially since the turn of the year.
Martin Odegaard hasn’t played enough games due to injury, and while Eberechi Eze looked really good in a few games, he was forced to spend a spell on the sidelines due to injury as well.
The Englishman was initially expected to be out for as long as six weeks, but Eze surprised Arteta and the Arsenal staff by returning to full fitness a lot earlier.
That was viewed as a big boost for Arsenal, and in the 55th minute, Arteta brought him on along with Leandro Trossard and Max Dowman.
All three players tried, but none were effective. Arsenal legend Martin Keown felt the same.
He said on TNT Sports in their analysis after the game: “The substitutions came very early from the manager. I thought that was a real intention to change the game, but then they didn’t find it.
“Eze didn’t seem like his usual self, and they couldn’t get Max Dowman on the ball. So as I say, it’s one of those days where it just hasn’t worked.”
Eberechi Eze should’ve performed a lot better, but Arsenal fans cannot blame him
Keown’s assessment that Eze looked nothing like his usual self may seem harsh, but it is true.
Before his injury, the Arsenal number 10 was in incredible form and scored one of the goals of the season against Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal needed a moment of magic like that from him today, but unfortunately, Eze could not provide that, much like all of his teammates.
🏆👀 I am feeling __% confident that Arsenal will win the Premier League title this season…
However, fans should not blame the former Palace star. He is only just returning from injury, and he received no help from the other attackers.
Arsenal take on Sporting CP in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final next before travelling to the Etihad to face Manchester City in what many view as the Premier League title decider.
That fixture against Pep Guardiola’s side has become a must-win now, and Eze will be key in that game.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
