Mikel Arteta has challenged Eberechi Eze to raise his level after explaining why the £60 million signing has recently found minutes hard to come by at Arsenal.
The Arsenal manager admitted Eze has not played as much as he would have wanted since arriving, but insisted the decision has been down to what the team needs and the demands of Arteta’s system. Arteta said there are still areas Eze must improve to earn more game time.
“There are things we need to improve,” Arteta explained, making it clear the midfielder’s talent is not in doubt, but that he must add more to his game to become a regular starter.
Arteta also revealed the reason behind Eze’s limited involvement in recent matches, pointing to the competition for places and the need for players to meet certain tactical standards. The Spaniard stressed that training performances and consistency are key, with Arsenal operating in a squad where places must be earned every week.
Eze, who joined for £60m, has had to be patient as Arsenal manage his integration, with Arteta keeping the focus on improvements in key areas rather than handing out minutes by reputation. The manager’s message was direct: if Eze wants a bigger role, he must show he is ready to deliver what the team requires.
