A recent dip in form for once-highly-celebrated midfield dazzler, Eberechi Eze has come under critical focus, as the Nigerian-born summer signing at Arsenal of England continues battling to regain relevance with The Gunners.
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Sports247 reports that another fumbling performance for Eze against Brentford on Thursday night left many mouths gaping in amazement, as the former Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace sensation appears to be in a quandary.
Eze’s startling implosion is highlighted with details of how the out-of-favour England international has not scored a goal since netting a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in November.
Sadly, in Thursday’s draw away to Brentford, which was Eze’s first start in the English Premier League in almost two months, he was ‘entirely anonymous’ and had to be replaced at half-time.
While analysing Eze’s situation, a football writer with UK’s Daily Mail, Matt Barlow noted in part: “It is becoming an unwanted trend. On his previous league start he lasted only 57 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“In the one before that, at Aston Villa, he did not make it past the interval. He has become peripheral to this Arsenal title challenge at a time when he is needed most, with Kai Havertz injured again and Martin Odegaard struggling for fitness.
“At this rate, he will not make the cut for England’s World Cup squad. Not only are his rhythm and form lost but he is also jostling for a place in the most competitive area. Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers are at the front of the race.”
England former international, Peter Crouch also told TNT Sports: “I believe he hadn’t started in the last nine or something like that. Unfortunately, he just felt off the boil, he couldn’t get on the ball in the first half.
“I felt for him (but) he doesn’t give you what Odegaard gives you in pressing and he doesn’t affect it when he hasn’t got the ball. He was a bit of a passenger. We called it half an hour in that he was going to come off.”
Another former England international, Jermain Defoe chipped in, “Eze was not good enough. Although I still feel like he’s playing with the handbrake on. I know he hasn’t played games and probably is not match fit, but you still expect a little bit more. I think that’s a mentality thing.”
Sports247 gathered further that Eze has struggled to find his feet since joining his boyhood club that initially released him at the age of 13, with five goals and two assists following his £67.5m arrival from Crystal Palace in August.
Sadly, during Thursday’s game, Eze managed just 17 touches in a disappointing attacking performance under Mikel Arteta, who has been reluctant to start the star in recent months, while observers wonder why he is struggling in North London.
