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Paul Merson says Arsenal fans are going ‘ballistic’ at one player but ‘it’s not his fault’

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Despite being the favourites to win multiple trophies this season, some Arsenal fans are not happy.

The Gunners are on top of the Premier League table, finished on top in the Champions League standings, and are one step away from the final of the Carabao Cup.

If you had offered that to most supporters at the start of the campaign, they would’ve bitten your arm off, but there are still a lot of moans and groans.

One player Arsenal fans have not been happy with in recent weeks is Eberechi Eze.

Agree or disagree, Mikel Arteta will show a weakness if he doesn’t drop Martin Odegaard for Eberechi Eze

A graphic of Martin Odegaard asking whether Eberechi Eze should replace him.
Credit: Getty Images/David Price/Arsenal FC

Paul Merson explains why Eberechi Eze is not at fault at Arsenal

Eze has had a mixed season at Arsenal.

The England international had a very good start to life as a Gunner, with the highlight being his magnificent hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.

However, in recent months, Eze has struggled with form, and he has mostly been out of the starting lineup as well since his mistake in the defeat to Aston Villa.

In Arsenal’s last Premier League game against Manchester United, Eze replaced Martin Odegaard in the second half as Arteta turned to him and other substitutes to change the game.

The former Crystal Palace man had a really poor game and was on the receiving end of some criticism from Arsenal supporters.

Eberechi Eze in action during Inter Milan vs Arsenal
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images

Merson has now jumped to his defence.

He wrote on Sportskeeda: “When Eberechi Eze came on against Manchester United last weekend, the Arsenal fans were going ballistic.

“I assume most of them felt he was being very casual on the ball. But that’s just the way he plays, and it’s not his fault!

“The thing with Eze is that he’s a special player. He is elegant when he gets on the ball, and I think the fans need to give him time. I mean no disrespect to Palace, but it’s not the same when you join Arsenal.

“The pressure is always on you, and I believe Eze is still getting used to it. I hope they give him time.”

Fill in the blank: Eberechi Eze should start _____________ for Arsenal against Leeds

Left wing, number ten or on the bench?

Eberechi Eze suddenly has another problem at Arsenal

When Eze joined Arsenal in the summer, the feeling was that he would have to compete with Odegaard for a place in the starting lineup.

That has been the case since, but the Englishman has a new problem now.

Kai Havertz starred for Arsenal in the right-sided number eight role against Kairat Almaty, and he may soon become the first-choice starter in that position.

Eze, who started on the opposite side of midfield, will need to make way for Declan Rice in that position, which means he could now drop down to third-choice behind Odegaard and Havertz in attacking midfield.

We’re sure he wouldn’t have imagined such a scenario when he joined Arsenal in the summer.