Former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson believes Eberechi Eze’s difficulties this season are partly the result of Mikel Arteta using him in a position that does not suit his game.
Arsenal signed the England international from Crystal Palace for £60 million last summer. Eze made an impact during his first season, including a hat-trick against Tottenham in his first North London derby appearance, as the club won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.
However, his form has been less consistent overall and he has endured a slow start to the current campaign. Upson believes the uncertainty over his role has contributed to those struggles.
Matthew Upson questions Eberechi Eze’s role at Arsenal
“I think that finding his role and position has been challenging,” Upson said.
He added: “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.”
Eze has been used on the left, a role Upson feels does not bring out the best in him.
“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,” Upson said. “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.”
With Martin Odegaard now fully fit and performing well in central midfield, Eze may continue to be deployed away from his preferred position. Arsenal have a greater need on the left, where Christos Tzolis is currently injured, while Noni Madueke has largely produced his best form on the right.
That could create more opportunities for Eze on the left, although he will need to adapt to the demands of the position. Upson’s assessment also raises questions over whether Arsenal’s recent attacking recruitment has sufficiently strengthened the team, following two successive summers of additions who have yet to raise the level of the attack.
