Why Eze is struggling to find his form at Arsenal
Retold by Oddsrama · 21 October 2026
Eberechi Eze arrived at Arsenal with a reputation for electrifying skill and match-winning moments, but this season has seen the forward struggle to replicate the form that made him such an attractive prospect. With just one goal in nine appearances across all competitions, the creative spark that lit up his time at Crystal Palace has dimmed considerably. His recent Premier League start against Nottingham Forest underscored the problem — replaced at half-time after just nine passes and 22 touches, Eze looked like a player searching for answers rather than asking them of opponents.
The core issue appears to be positional identity and the intensity demands of playing for a top-six club. At Palace, Eze flourished operating from the left flank or in a narrower number 10 role, areas where he could roam freely and manufacture those jaw-dropping moments. At Arsenal, however, captain Martin Odegaard owns the central attacking midfield role, leaving Eze to operate wide — a setup that doesn't naturally suit his game. Add to that the demanding tactical system under Mikel Arteta, and it becomes clear that even world-class players need time to adjust. England manager Thomas Tuchel hinted during the recent international break that Eze was still finding his feet, suggesting confidence may be playing a role alongside tactics and positioning.
Arsenal's failure to land marquee attackers like Vinicius Jr or Julian Alvarez in January has intensified scrutiny of Eze's output. The arrival of Christos Tzolis promised competition, but the Greek winger's hamstring injury gave Eze a lifeline. He delivered against Lille in the Champions League but couldn't maintain that momentum. The stat line is revealing — 11 goals in 61 appearances, with nearly all coming in clusters across specific matches rather than sustained runs. For betting purposes, Eze's inconsistency makes him a tricky proposition; while he can produce in big moments, backing him for regular goal contributions carries risk until he settles into a defined role. This is a player caught between systems, needing either a run of games in one position or a tactical shift to unlock the talent Arsenal paid for.
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