Eze's first Premier League start ends at half-time as Arsenal beat Forest
Eberechi Eze was substituted at half-time during Arsenal's 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, in what was his first Premier League start of the season. The forward managed just nine passes and 22 touches before being replaced, raising questions over his role in Mikel Arteta's side.
- Match: Arsenal 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Eze's first PL start of season: Replaced at half-time
- Eze's stats vs Forest: 9 passes, 22 touches
- Next fixture: Arsenal vs Bayern Munich (Champions League, Wednesday, 20:00 BST)
- Key context: Arsenal failed to sign a world-class attacker in summer; Tzolis injured
What was said
"I think that finding his role and position has been challenging."
"And when you come to a club with the stature and the quality of Arsenal, if you're not showing that you're nailing down a certain role, I think it's very very hard to maintain a position in the team."
"He's now filling in a bit on the left-hand side, which I don't think particularly suits him, but he's had to."
"He doesn't play like a wide player for me and I think just knowing your role when you're at a club like Arsenal is so important."
"So when the foundation's not quite there in terms of the situations you're getting in and how quickly you get into the ball, where you are on the field, where your headspace is at about what your role is and what you've got to do, then it's hard to produce those moments that make you the top player."
"It's almost a process for him if he wants to kind of grow into starting more matches for Arsenal."
"I think figuring that out is really important and having that level of intensity, which I think has been an adjustment for him from where he's come from - into a big club, with a manager that they don't come more intense than really."
"We have some really good players and the expectations are so big for all of them. And we want more from everybody. That is the mindset."
"That is what is going to make us better individually and as a team. I hope that continues as it is going to push all of us to reach different kind of levels and develop."
Matt Upson's assessment highlights the core issue: Eze is being asked to perform a role that does not come naturally to him. The 28-year-old made his name as a maverick entertainer, but at Arsenal he is being shoehorned into a rigid system where every player must understand their specific function. Arteta's comments, while general, reinforce the demanding environment at the Emirates.
The numbers
- Eze's starts last season: 36 out of 63 matches (57%)
- Since Arsenal debut (August 2025): 40 starts out of 72 matches (56%)
- Eze's Arsenal goals: 11 goals in 61 appearances, scored across just eight games
- Vs Tottenham: 5 goals in two Premier League matches, including a hat-trick at home
- Eze's per-90 stats this season vs last: Assists 0.25 (up), goals+assists 0.50 (up), shots on target 0.74 (up), dribbles completed 1.98 (up), touches in opposition box 5.95 (up)
The raw numbers show Eze gets substantial game time, but they also reveal a player who blows hot and cold. His 11 goals have come in just eight matches, meaning he often goes missing. However, the per-90 metrics this season suggest he is actually more involved in attacking phases, albeit in a smaller sample size. The issue is not productivity but consistency and finding a settled position.
Why Eze is struggling to nail down a role
Eberechi Eze's difficulties at Arsenal stem from a combination of tactical rigidity and limited opportunities in his preferred position. At Crystal Palace, he excelled from the left but in his final two seasons operated as a narrower number 10. At Arsenal, that central role is occupied by captain Martin Odegaard, and Arteta is unlikely to start both players together given his other midfield options. With Christos Tzolis injured, Eze has been deployed on the left wing, a position Upson believes does not suit him. The 28-year-old is at his best when given freedom to drift and create, but Arsenal's structured approach demands disciplined positioning.
The lack of a world-class attacking signing in the summer, despite interest in Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez, has increased scrutiny on Eze. He was signed to provide spark, but so far he has been unable to reproduce the moments that made him a target. The challenge for Eze is to adapt to Arteta's demands while retaining the flair that made him a fan favourite at Selhurst Park. It is a delicate balance, and one that Upson suggests requires a mental shift.
Talking points
- Should Arteta give Eze a run of games in his preferred number 10 role, even if it means dropping Odegaard?
- Is Eze's £60m price tag weighing heavily on him, or is the system simply not suited to his strengths?
- Would Arsenal be better off selling Eze and reinvesting in a more traditional winger?
- Can Eze rediscover his Crystal Palace form, or is he destined to be a squad player at the Emirates?
What happens next
Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 BST). Eze will hope to feature, but with Tzolis still injured, he may get another chance on the left. A strong performance against top opposition could kickstart his season. However, if he falters again, questions over his long-term future will only grow louder.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Eberechi Eze substituted at half-time against Nottingham Forest?
Eze was replaced at half-time after managing just nine passes and 22 touches in his first Premier League start of the season. The substitution was part of Mikel Arteta's tactical adjustment.
What position does Eze play for Arsenal?
Eze has been deployed on the left wing for Arsenal, although he previously operated as a number 10 at Crystal Palace. Matt Upson believes the left-wing role does not particularly suit him.
How many goals has Eze scored for Arsenal?
Eze has scored 11 goals in 61 appearances for Arsenal, with those goals coming across just eight matches. He scored five against Tottenham, including a hat-trick at home.
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