Mikel Arteta Delivers Encouraging Message to Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze, who began the season with significant playing time for Arsenal, has seen his minutes decrease recently. Early on, he was a pivotal player, especially during the absences of Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard due to injuries. Among his standout performances was an impressive hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur.
Mikel Arteta’s Support for Eberechi Eze
Despite these highlights, Eze has struggled to maintain a consistent spot in the starting eleven. Fans anticipated that the substantial fee Arsenal paid for him would secure his position as a regular starter. However, his playing time has dwindled, with a stretch of four Premier League matches where he did not feature at all.
The Role of Squad Depth
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently addressed this situation, emphasizing the significance of every player within the squad. He stated, “There are players that maybe in terms of minutes don’t have that much impact, but the impact that they have around the team… is critical.” Though he didn’t mention Eze by name, it was evident that Eze was among the players he referred to.
- Eze’s notable performances this season include:
- A hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur
- Consistent contributions early in the season
- Challenges faced this season:
- Decreased playing time
- Limited appearances in critical matches
Other players such as Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, and Christian Norgaard have also experienced limited opportunities. The highly competitive nature of Arsenal’s squad means some talented players inevitably miss out on game time.
Nonetheless, it is clear that Mikel Arteta values the contributions of players like Eze. While their minutes may not always reflect it, the contributions they make behind the scenes are vital to the team’s success. Fans hope to see more of Eze on the pitch as the season progresses.
