Eberechi Eze is playing more for the team than for himself – Rio Ferdinand

Eberechi Eze is quickly becoming one of Arsenal’s most intriguing players, not just for his talent but for how he has reshaped his game to fit Mikel Arteta’s demanding system.

Rio Ferdinand believes the former Crystal Palace star has intentionally toned down the individualism that once made him a constant solo threat, choosing instead to play a more collective role in north London.

That shift has not dulled his impact. The England international hit a brilliant brace in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham, taking his tally to five goals in his last two north London derbies after a hat-trick in the reverse fixture. Ferdinand argued that, despite the numbers, Eze is still not as free as he was at Palace, pointing out that his high starting position often stops him from turning to face play and running at defenders.

“He’s playing more for the team than for himself and if you’re going to win championships, sometimes you have to sacrifice parts of your game to do that,” Ferdinand said, comparing Eze’s evolution to Jack Grealish at Manchester City. Arteta backed his midfielder’s transformation, saying: “He’s really trying to mold and adapt into what we want from him.”

Eze, who joined Arsenal last summer, has produced 6 goals and 2 assists in 23 Premier League games this season, even though he has not always started regularly due to competition from Martin Odegaard.

His derby heroics, however, have quieted doubts about his influence and helped Arsenal move five points clear of Manchester City in the title race.
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