In the era of “instant results” we currently live in, both Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres have come in from some criticism from certain quarters for a perceived slow start to their Arsenal careers.
Whether this criticism is just due to them being impatient (imagine the criticism Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires would have received in the current era), are attention seeking, or are simply negative nancies who want to find something to complain about despite us being top of the league, these people need to wind their necks in.
However, I am not saying either man is immune from criticism, nor should they not be criticised. However, there is a huge jump from constructive criticism and analysis of their game, and those who simply message “not good enough or “waste of money”.
For Eze, I feel that he is trying too hard right now. And it is a common trait for players who go from being a big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a bit pond.
Following the departure of Michael Olise, Eze was Crystal Palace’s only top attacker. Literally everything went through him. He saw a lot of the ball. Would play every minute. And if Eze played well, Palace played well.
At Arsenal, things are very different.
We have an array of attacking talent. From Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, to Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and the front men Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. Our more defensive players in Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and even Ricardo Califiori and Jurrien Timber are also more comfortable on the ball than anyone Palace had bar Eze.
Not only does that mean Eze is not necessarily the first name on the team sheet, it also means that when he does play, his team mates are not looking up and with first thought being “where is Eze, we need to get him the ball”.
The result is when Eze does get the ball, he tends to feel like he needs to do more with it. And rather than keeping it easy, he continually tries to make something happen, tries to impress. When actually a lot of the time the easy ball is the better option.
Also at Palace, as their sole decent attacker, Eze could try something magical every time he got the ball and escape criticism when it did not come off. Attempt something special 10 times across two games, and if it comes off once, you’re a hero. At Arsenal, the standards are higher.
You can not try and make something happen every time you get the ball at a club like Arsenal. It is about trying to make something happen at the right time, not every time. And Eze needs to adjust to that. He needs to begin playing it easier. Realise that when he receives the ball on the half way line, the key is about retaining position and not trying to beat 2 or 3 players in the hope of creating something.
It will take time for Eze to adjust.
Going from a counterattacking team where everything went through him to playing for a possession-based team where he sees less than the ball. He will need to become better at deciding what to do with the ball when he receives it. But he has the ability to do that.
For me, I still see Eze’s main position on that wide left. I see a lot of Robert Pires in him. The way that he can start on that left but look to continually come inside. And with the way we are setting up right now with Declan Rice a little deeper and Calafiori bombing on, Eze will have the space to dictate play from the left sided attacking quadrant.
Eze has already shown his worth to us. He was brought in as a utility attacker who can cover all 4 positions behind the striker. And it is that reason he will also go to the World Cup for England. The fact that Odegaard has suffered a few injuries this season and Eze has slotted in nicely shows he has the ceiling to become what is needed to play for a team like Arsenal.
Eze just needs to take a breath, relax a little, and play a little easier. Then his talent will shine through.
Keenos