Mikel Arteta is facing fresh scrutiny over his handling of record signing Eberechi Eze, with former Manchester United defender Paul Parker claiming the Arsenal manager is "stifling" the £67.5 million playmaker's natural creativity.
Parker's pointed criticism of Arteta's tactics
The critique comes after Eze was left on the bench for Arsenal's recent Premier League clash against Everton. The England international, who joined from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window, has failed to register a goal or an assist since his spectacular hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby earlier this season.
Parker, speaking to the British Gambler, expressed bewilderment at Arsenal's strategy. "I love what [Morgan] Rogers is doing for Aston Villa, and I think it's similar to what Eberechi Eze did for Crystal Palace," he said. "Eze was outstanding at the time, and I think he was the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League last season."
He then turned his fire on Arteta's approach: "I think that freedom has been taken away from him by Mikel Arteta since going to Arsenal. They bought him for what he was delivering, and then when they got him, they've tried to get him to do something different; it doesn't make sense for that kind of money."
Arteta's defence and a battle for position
The Arsenal manager would likely contest this assessment. Following Eze's arrival, Arteta was effusive in his praise, vowing to harness the 27-year-old's unique talents. "I'm really impressed with him," Arteta stated. "He's really bright, has very special energy and a special aura around him."
Crucially, Arteta emphasised his intention to give Eze liberty on the pitch: "[We are] making sure that he has the freedom and the capacity to express his quality, which is the reason why we brought him here." He praised Eze's ability to "drive past people effortlessly" and his impressive "timing of things."
However, Martin Odegaard's return from injury has intensified competition for the central creative roles. Eze has been deployed in various positions this term, including on the left wing and as a left-sided number eight, as Arteta seeks tactical flexibility. "We have a lot of players now that can play in different positions," Arteta noted, citing injury crises as a reason for such adaptability.
Can Eze rediscover his spark for the title race?
The current situation represents a classic gamble with a flair player. Eze's output has dried up after a purple patch, and with Arsenal sometimes struggling to break down stubborn defences, his absence from the starting line-up is notable.
As the demanding Christmas fixture schedule unfolds, the coming weeks present a critical opportunity for Eze. A return to form and a regular starting spot could provide the creative spark Arsenal need to sustain a Premier League title challenge. The size of his contribution remains to be seen, but for a boyhood fan of the club, impacting a potential championship push would be the ultimate justification of his hefty transfer fee.
The fundamental question remains: will Mikel Arteta grant Eberechi Eze the freedom he thrived on at Palace, or will the player continue to be moulded into a more structured system? The answer may prove pivotal to Arsenal's season.
