‘There Are Things We Need to Improve’ – Mikel Arteta Lays Gauntlet Down to Eberechi Eze as Arsenal Boss Explains £60m Man’s Recent Lack of Game Time

Eberechi Eze’s Arsenal Journey Hits a Bump

Eberechi Eze’s move to Arsenal last summer was billed as one of the Premier League’s marquee transfers. The £60 million ($81.2m) playmaker arrived from Crystal Palace with big expectations, and initially, it seemed as if he would be a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. Early in the season, Eze dazzled, producing moments of genuine magic and quickly earning the admiration of fans and pundits alike.

However, in recent weeks, the trajectory hasn’t gone quite to plan. The 27-year-old hasn’t featured in any of Arsenal’s last three Premier League matches, with Leandro Trossard and Martin Ødegaard being preferred in attacking positions. Arteta’s decision to manage Eze’s minutes has left supporters asking questions: what has changed for the talented winger, and what does the future hold for him at the Emirates?

Arteta’s Initial Praise for Eze

When Eze first signed, Arteta couldn’t stop singing his praises. The Spaniard called his talent “unquestionable” and hinted that the player had the capacity to produce those rare, game-defining moments that fans live for. A standout performance came in November, when Eze netted a memorable hat-trick against Tottenham in a north London derby—a feat that hadn’t been achieved in many, many years.

Arteta recalled the moment vividly:

“I look at the stats and when was the last time that somebody scored a hat-trick in a north London derby? Many, many, many years ago. So that tells you about the difficulty, but it’s not a coincidence.”

He added that Eze’s work ethic was a key factor:

“After international duty, he had two days off, and he said, ‘no, I want to train the next day, I want to practice.’ He was asking me questions about his positioning, about his pacing, about this. When a player has that talent, has a brain, and he has that willingness to be better and to make an impact in the team, these things happen.”

At that time, it seemed like Eze was on a meteoric rise, combining natural ability with determination, and Arteta was keen to nurture that talent.

FBL-ENG-PR-ARSENAL-ASTON VILLA

What Has Changed?

Fast forward to the present, and the picture is different. Eze has not featured in Arsenal’s last three Premier League fixtures, leaving fans puzzled about the Spaniard’s thinking. Arteta, however, insists the lack of game time is not a punishment, but rather a considered management decision aimed at long-term development.

Eze has appeared 22 times this season, 17 of those as a starter, indicating that he has already played more minutes than ever before in his career. Arteta explained:

“I speak to every player. The players always need to understand and the manager needs to understand how each one is feeling. Assess games, assess the emotional state. Ebs has played more games, more minutes than ever at this time. He’s played I think 22 out of 28 games or something like this. He’s never played that much football, so we’re on a good track.”

In other words, the management of Eze’s minutes is strategic, ensuring that he remains fresh for the team’s key fixtures while allowing him to continue improving.

Noni Madueke in the Same Boat

Eze is not alone in this situation. Fellow summer signing Noni Madueke, who cost Arsenal £50 million ($67m), has seen even less game time, with just 13 appearances so far this term. Trossard and Bukayo Saka have often been preferred over Madueke, leaving him in a similar position to Eze—talented, but needing to fight for minutes in a competitive squad.

Arteta dismissed suggestions that the duo’s lack of minutes could jeopardize their World Cup ambitions, instead framing the situation as an opportunity for growth.

“From who? What they need to do is be prepared like they’ve been and when they have the opportunity to play, perform like any other player,” he said.

He continued:

“This is no different. There have been periods where they have played every three days, sometimes they played too much. Noni as well has been injured for a while and we have to manage and monitor his load. With Ebs, the first few months we’ve had some great moments with him, we had some other moments where there are things we need to improve. We are on that journey.”

Arteta stressed that both players’ dedication and mentality have been exemplary, highlighting their desire to make an impact every day in training.

Managing Minutes: Arteta’s Philosophy

Arteta’s approach reflects a broader philosophy of player management. The Arsenal boss balances immediate performance with long-term development, carefully monitoring players’ physical and mental loads. For Eze, this has meant strategic rest periods, even after he had a strong start to the season.

“The good thing is they want it so badly. The way they come in every single day and how much they want to give to the team and impact the games is great to witness. That’s the mentality they need to maintain,” Arteta explained.

This careful management ensures that when Eze does play, he is fresh, sharp, and able to make a decisive impact—rather than risking fatigue or injury through overuse.

Eze’s Stats and Contributions

Despite the recent spell on the sidelines, Eze’s numbers this season are respectable. He has scored five goals and provided four assists for Arsenal, demonstrating his ability to influence games when given the chance. Fans will be hoping that the upcoming fixture against struggling Bournemouth provides him with an opportunity to showcase his talent once more.

The busy fixture period ahead should see Eze and Madueke both feature more prominently, offering them the chance to reclaim starting positions and continue contributing to Arsenal’s title challenge.

What’s Next for Eze and Arsenal?

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League

Looking ahead, Eze’s role at Arsenal seems poised to grow again. Arteta has made it clear that this is a period of growth and improvement, rather than sidelining. With the Gunners topping the Premier League table, squad rotation will be key, and Eze’s talent means he will be part of Arteta’s plans moving forward.

Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth offers an immediate opportunity for Eze to demonstrate his readiness and remind fans of his capabilities. Arteta’s message is simple: stay professional, stay prepared, and when the chance arises, make it count.

Final Thoughts

Eberechi Eze’s situation at Arsenal highlights the delicate balance between talent management and team strategy. The £60 million playmaker has shown flashes of brilliance, including a historic hat-trick against Tottenham, yet Arteta’s careful management of his minutes shows the complexities of running a squad competing on multiple fronts.

For fans, patience will be key. Eze is still very much part of Arsenal’s plans, and with a demanding fixture schedule ahead, the playmaker’s opportunities to shine are likely to return. Arteta’s approach may seem harsh at times, but it is designed to maximize Eze’s potential and ensure he remains at his best when the Gunners need him most.

In the end, the message is clear: there are things to improve, the journey continues, and Eze’s talent, mentality, and willingness to work hard will ultimately define his season at the Emirates.