Patience has long been a defining virtue for Eberechi Eze. That quality is being tested once more as the attacking midfielder finds himself in a challenging period at Arsenal, despite a high-profile return to his boyhood club last summer.
After a sensational start, highlighted by a hat-trick against Tottenham in late November, the goals have ceased. The 27-year-old has now gone 18 appearances across all competitions without finding the net, seeing his role diminish significantly in the Premier League. A recent half-time substitution against Brentford, followed by being an unused substitute in the next league match, underscores his current standing.
Managerial preference and tactical fit appear central to the issue. Since a costly defensive lapse in a December defeat to Aston Villa, Eze has rarely been deployed in his favoured left-sided attacking role, where he excelled at Crystal Palace and for England. Instead, other options have been preferred, with the system’s demands seemingly limiting his natural inclination to drift into deeper, creative spaces—movements that can sometimes clash with the forward runs of teammates.
The statistical contrast is stark. Compared to his final seasons at Palace, where he was the primary creative force, his output in dribbles completed and chances created has fallen dramatically. This dip in individual creativity mirrors a broader concern for the club, which lags behind its main title rivals in creating clear opportunities from open play.
With key players returning from injury and a World Cup squad place to fight for, Eze faces a critical juncture. His advocates point to a compelling historical trend: nearly half of his Premier League goals have been scored in the final nine weeks of the season. As the championship race reaches its climax, Arsenal is in urgent need of a spark. The question is whether the manager will turn to a player whose proven pedigree in the decisive moments currently contrasts with his peripheral status.
