Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed any suggestion that Eberechi Eze has drifted out of his plans, insisting the midfielder remains an important figure while challenging him to show greater edge in the final third.
The English international of Nigerian descent returned to the starting line-up in Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic, offering flashes of the quality that persuaded the club to secure his services from Crystal Palace in the summer.
However, with competition for attacking places intense, the England international has found regular starts difficult to come by in recent weeks.
Arteta made clear that the 27-year-old is far from sidelined, but suggested that creative players must seize decisive moments to cement their status. “He’s already playing an important role,” the Arsenal boss said.
“He’s played a lot of games for us and will continue to do so. Those players need those moments, and especially when we’re talking about creative players, they need to feel like they’re creating those moments.”
The comments point to a desire for greater assertiveness from Eze in and around the penalty area.
While his technical ability and composure in possession are undisputed, Arteta appears keen for the midfielder to take more responsibility in turning promising situations into tangible outcomes, whether through direct runs, shots, or incisive final passes.
Eze’s adaptation to Arsenal’s structured, high-intensity system has been steady rather than spectacular. Surrounded by established attacking options, he is competing for influence in a side with lofty ambitions across multiple competitions. The FA Cup outing provided a platform to rebuild momentum and confidence.
