In a surprising twist amid growing speculation about Eberechi Eze’s future at Arsenal, the club and manager Mikel Arteta have reportedly made a firm decision on the £67.5m summer signing—who has been labeled a flop after a dramatic dip in form.
Arsenal fans were ecstatic last summer when the Gunners swooped in to hijack Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of the talented playmaker from Crystal Palace. Eze, known for his flair and creativity, seemed poised to be the missing piece in Arsenal’s long-awaited push for Premier League glory, ending a drought that has stretched over two decades.
The early returns were promising. In his first three Premier League outings for Arsenal, Eze dished out two assists, showcasing his vision and ability to unlock defenses. He then marked his arrival with a goal against his former club, Crystal Palace—a strike that proved to be the match-winner and hinted at brighter days ahead.
The highlight of his debut season came in late November, when Eze delivered a stunning hat-trick in the north London derby, helping Arsenal dismantle Tottenham 4-1. It was a performance that had supporters dreaming of title challenges and Eze as a potential star.
However, the fairy tale has unraveled spectacularly in the months since. Over the past three months, Eze has failed to register a single goal or assist in the Premier League. His form has plummeted, leading to a slide down Arteta’s pecking order. Shockingly, he was an unused substitute in four consecutive league matches around the New Year period.
In the last two months, Eze has started just one league game—against Brentford last weekend—where he was substituted at half-time after a lackluster display. This rapid fall from grace has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits, with questions arising about Arteta’s management of the player and whether Eze fits into the long-term vision at the Emirates.
At 27 years old, Eze was signed as a ready-made contributor for the present, not a project for the future. His struggles have fueled rumors of a potential summer exit, with some suggesting Arsenal might cut their losses on the expensive acquisition.
But according to a recent report from Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Arsenal have no intention of parting ways with Eze. The decision has been made: he’s staying put.
“Arsenal will not entertain the idea of letting Eberechi Eze leave under any circumstances this summer,” O’Rourke revealed. “Mikel Arteta still has ‘big plans’ for the attacking midfielder at the Emirates Stadium, and the player himself also feels that he still has a key role to play within the Gunners’ squad.”
O’Rourke emphasized that Arteta retains full faith in Eze, attributing his current woes to the challenges of adapting to a new club, new teammates, and a different playing style. Rather than panicking after one underwhelming season, the club views this as a temporary setback.
This stance comes despite damning statistics highlighting Eze’s decline. His lack of contributions in recent months stands in stark contrast to his explosive start, raising eyebrows about his consistency and suitability for Arteta’s high-intensity system.
For Arsenal, who are still in the hunt for silverware this season, keeping Eze signals a commitment to patience and development. Expectations will be sky-high for the midfielder next term, as he aims to repay the faith shown in him and justify that hefty price tag.
While some fans may remain skeptical, Arteta’s track record of turning around players like Granit Xhaka and others suggests Eze could yet become a success story. For now, his Arsenal chapter is far from finished—it’s just entering a new phase.