Early Impressions from Arsenal’s Latest Creative Spark
Eberechi Eze’s return to Arsenal was one of the defining stories of the summer, a transfer that blended sentiment, ambition, and real competitive stakes for a club pushing to remain among the Premier League’s elite. The move was made even more dramatic by Arsenal hijacking the deal from their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, securing the signing at the last minute and snatching a player both clubs had long coveted. From the moment he stepped back into North London, the expectations surrounding his creativity and ball progression were enormous, especially given the club’s heavy investment in him. His early weeks at Sobha Realty, Arsenal’s training ground, reflected a player eager to embrace the demands of Mikel Arteta’s system, showing a willingness to adapt, learn, and shoulder responsibility in a squad with clear title aspirations. Supporters were quick to recognize his blend of flair and intelligence. These qualities fit naturally within Arsenal’s possession-heavy approach. Yet, like many creative players moving into a rigid, detail-oriented structure, his adaptation required patience, nuance, and a genuine shift in how he influences matches.
Early Positives: Creativity, Composure, and Tactical Versatility
Eze’s early contributions have offered a strong indication of why Arsenal pushed so aggressively to bring him in. His dribbling and ball-carrying have added an element of unpredictability that the team has lacked in captain Martin Ødegaard’s absence, giving the Gunners more ways to disrupt compact defensive blocks. In tight spaces, he has shown impressive calmness, often slipping out of pressure or sustaining attacks with a subtle touch that keeps the team moving forward. His ability to connect with the forward line, especially in the right half-space alongside Bukayo Saka, has provided flashes of what could become a highly productive partnership once the team’s attacking roles stabilize. Even as the squad evolves, his versatility has allowed Arteta to deploy him across multiple positions, demonstrating both his intelligence and his willingness to adapt to the team’s needs.
Challenges of Filling Ødegaard’s Role in a Complex System
The adjustment to Arsenal’s tactical structure has presented real challenges, particularly when Eze has been asked to operate primarily as a right-sided central midfielder in Ødegaard’s absence. The role has given him more responsibility in deeper buildup phases and significantly more touches during possession. Still, it has also limited some of the freedom and directness that define his natural attacking instincts. At times, he has looked caught between the duties of an interior midfielder and the creative demands typically shouldered by Ødegaard, creating stretches where his influence fluctuates from highly effective to subdued. The 2–2 draw with Sunderland highlighted these moments, showcasing his technical quality but also revealing the adjustment needed to dictate tempo in the final third consistently. These experiences underscore the learning curve required to adapt to such a tactically demanding, structured midfield role.
A Return to His Preferred Left-Sided Role Could Unlock Another Level
Looking ahead, it’s reasonable to expect that Eze will feel more comfortable once Ødegaard returns and resumes his standard position on the right side of midfield. That shift would allow Eze to move into his preferred left-sided attacking role, where he can isolate fullbacks, receive in more advanced positions, and attack space in ways that better suit his instincts. The left channel accentuates the qualities that make him most dangerous, his ball-carrying, his agility in tight pockets, and the one-v-one unpredictability that forces defenders onto the back foot. Playing there would also reduce some of the deeper buildup responsibilities he currently carries, giving him more freedom to threaten the box, combine with wide players, and influence the final third with creativity rather than structure. With more space, more isolation opportunities, and a role tailored to his strengths, Eze has the potential to elevate his impact significantly as the season progresses.
What He Must Keep Doing and What Must Improve
Despite the natural growing pains of a significant transition, Eze has shown signs that he can become a central figure in Arsenal’s pursuit of silverware this season. To reach that level, he must continue adjusting to the speed and decision-making demands of playing centrally in a top-level possession structure, especially in moments where turnovers can quickly invite pressure. Improving defensive consistency is another crucial step, particularly in pressing triggers and structural discipline, as Arteta expects from advanced midfielders. At the same time, he must continue leaning into the attributes that make him special, his fearlessness, his ability to shift momentum with a single carry, and his comfort shouldering creative responsibility even in high-pressure situations. By combining his flair with greater consistency, Eze could soon establish himself as a driving force in Arsenal’s push for Premier League and cup success.
