Eberechi Eze wants to stay at Arsenal and fight for a more prominent role despite making just one Premier League start this season, according to reports.
The England international has found opportunities limited under Mikel Arteta, starting only one of the Gunners’ first seven league matches. He was withdrawn at half-time in that appearance against Nottingham Forest.
However, Eze’s display in Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich has strengthened his case for greater involvement. He came on for the injured Bukayo Saka after 10 minutes and put Arsenal ahead with an excellent finish in the 25th minute.
Eberechi Eze wants to stay at Arsenal
Football Insider reports that the 28-year-old remains happy at Arsenal and is not currently concerned by his lack of regular starts.
Eze is understood to believe he has considerably more to offer and wants to compete for an increased role rather than consider leaving the club.
His performance against Bayern was described by The Standard as an “emphatic answer to recent criticism”, after he was handed a 9/10 rating.
The midfielder’s adaptation to Arsenal has required a change from his previous role at Crystal Palace, where he was regularly the main creative influence and had greater freedom to move into dangerous areas.
Arteta’s system places greater emphasis on positional discipline, pressing structure and consistency without possession. Eze’s Bayern display nevertheless underlined the qualities Arsenal valued when they invested heavily in him.
Arteta has previously praised the player’s approach when he has been left out of the side. “The way he trains every day, the way he wants it and wants to do everything it takes to change my mind and give him more minutes, has been phenomenal,” he said earlier this year.
Saka’s injury could now provide Eze with further opportunities across Arsenal’s attacking positions, particularly as the club are expected to rotate more heavily in the weeks ahead.
One strong performance will not erase an inconsistent start to the campaign, but it may give Eze the platform to build momentum while he continues his bid for a larger role at Arsenal.
