Tim Sherwood believes that Eberechi Eze is still adapting to playing for a top team like Arsenal, and dismissed claims that Mikel Arteta is holding him back.
Eze produced two brilliant assists against Wigan, sending a reminder to the Arsenal fanbase of what he can do at his very best.
Fill the blanks, in order to get the best out of Eberechi Eze, Mikel Arteta needs to _______
The decline is there for all to see 😔
However, against Brentford during midweek, it was a different story, as Eze was dragged off at half-time by Arteta following a woeful display.
Sherwood has highlighted Eze’s brilliant talent and believes that there are key factors as to why he is still adapting to life at the Emirates Stadium.
Eberechi Eze must adjust to life at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta
Eberechi Eze must adjust to life at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, not the other way around, insists Tim Sherwood.
The former Premier League manager claims that going from Crystal Palace to playing for Arsenal is very different and will take time to adapt.
At Palace, Eze was the main man, but in North London, the 27-year-old must now become used to fitting into a team environment.
Asked whether Arteta is holding Eze back at Arsenal, Sherwood firmly told Sky Sports News: “No, of course not!
“I think it’s up to Eze to fit into Mikel’s team and the Arsenal squad. I suppose we’re seeing him in a similar situation to Jack Grealish at Man City.
“It’s almost like a one-man team when they’re the main man, like he was at Palace, and everything revolves around you, a bit like Jack at Aston Villa.
🤔 What GRADE would you give Eberechi Eze’s first season at Arsenal so far?
“All of a sudden, you have to get used to playing in the team environment, the structure, you have to get used to – it takes time, even though Eze has played in the Premier League.
“Not just that, when you’ve played at Palace, no one is sitting back in a low block like what he’s experiencing week after week at Arsenal. The spaces that he’s used to operating in have got tighter and tighter.
“So he has to work on his game and still needs to develop; they’ll find the space for him, I believe he’s a very talented boy.”
Sherwood is right to a certain extent, as Eze will not be used to having such limited space in attacking areas, but it’s interesting to analyse how Arteta’s attacking set-up could be limiting the midfielder.
Arsenal fans hailed Arteta for using Eze on the left against Wigan, as the former Palace star looked far more comfortable playing on his preferred side of the pitch.
Mikel Arteta hails Eberechi Eze’s performance during Arsenal vs Wigan
Arteta admitted that he was really pleased with Eze’s performance in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Wigan as he produced two brilliant assists.
Arteta told the media: “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. That’s what I want from him.”
However, Eze could now face competition from Bukayo Saka for the number ten role after the Arsenal vice-captain really impressed in a new midfield role.
Arteta hinted he could use Saka there more often, which means Eze will now face yet more competition for his place in the team.
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