Despite Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Athletic Club in the UEFA Champions League, Mikel Arteta is failing to get the best out of one of his players — much like Pep Guardiola.
Arteta named Guardiola as “inspirational” and as a result, a lot of his footballing philosophy stems from spending years working as the Catalan tactician’s assistant coach at Manchester City.
However, since being appointed as Arsenal boss, the former Everton midfielder has gone on to cement his status as one of the best managers in the world.
During the Gunners’ latest win, the manner in which Mikel Arteta deployed Eberechi Eze was eerily similar to how Pep Guardiola profiled a City player, who struggled under his tutelage.
Eberechi Eze in action alongside Andoni Gorosabel and Alex Berenguer during Athletic Club v Arsenal
Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta deployed Eberechi Eze like Jack Grealish during Athletic Club vs Arsenal
The man in question is none other than Jack Grealish.
Much like Grealish, Arsenal new-boy Eze is a natural number 10 who is capable of playing out wide and as a result, Mikel Arteta has started him on the left-wing against both Nottingham Forest and Athletic Club.
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While the former Crystal Palace attacker assisted Viktor Gyokeres’ goal against Forest, he struggled to impact proceedings against the Spanish side — with Mikel Arteta taking him off in the 71st minute.
Eze would be gutted with how ineffective he was but ultimately, it is Arteta who played him as a touchline winger, barely giving him any licence to drift into the middle of the park and run the show. The 27-year-old is not a specialist at dribbling or creating chances from wide areas, as was on show against Athletic Club — as he seems to prefer to roam across the pitch and wreak havoc instead — much like Grealish.
Jack Grealish in action for Everton v Brighton.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Grealish’s downfall at Manchester City partially stemmed from him being utilised in a similar fashion and after spending four seasons at the Etihad Stadium, he went on to leave and join Everton on loan.
Erling Haaland described Eze as “amazing” and while his quality cannot be questioned, it seems like Pep Guardiola has influenced Mikel Arteta in a way that could impact how one of his marquee signings fares at Arsenal.
Eze stats during Athletic Club vs Arsenal
Ultimately, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could benefit from how Arteta is profiling Eze, as it could give them an edge over the side from the English capital in the title race this season.
Jeremy Doku starred against Manchester United and the same can be said about Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, which means City could end up having a much more potent attack than the North Londoners.
Eze’s stats against Athletic Club reflect how quiet he was on his Champions League debut.
EBERECHI EZE STATS VS ATHLETIC CLUB
CHANCES CREATED 1
DRIBBLES COMPLETED 2/3 (67%)
TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX 0
XG + XA 0.11
SHOTS 0
Grealish would often have similar games to Eze under Pep Guardiola, as Mikel Arteta should be concerned that he created just one chance, took no shots as well as zero touches in the opposition box.
Guardiola was ultimately vindicated as he won three Premier League titles, including one in a treble-winning campaign since signing him in 2021, justifying how he deployed the 30-year-old. Unless Arteta can silence his doubters by winning silverware, questions will be asked if Eze has similarly underwhelming showings under his reign.