Eberechi Eze struggled to have an impact during Arsenal's win over Athletic Bilbao before the man who replaced him, Gabriel Martinelli, changed the Champions League match from the bench
Eberechi Eze endured a difficult night in Bilbao on Tuesday
Eberechi Eze endured a difficult night in Bilbao on Tuesday
Eberechi Eze has been told his level will "have to jump up" after an underwhelming Champions League debut for Arsenal. Steve McManaman called out the new signing, who was outshone by Gabriel Martinelli when he came on.
Mikel Arteta's side began their European campaign with a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, owing to goals from two of their substitutes. Martinelli needed just a minute to make an impact when he came on in the 70th minute, replacing Eze.
The Brazilian scored the opener before Leandro Trossard made the game safe late on. Eze was making just his second Arsenal start having played against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. He made his debut off the bench at Liverpool several weeks ago, but has been warned he will need to get used to better opponents now he's left Crystal Palace.
McManaman told TNT Sports: "Martinelli did more in five minutes than Eze did in 70 minutes. Eze will watch that performance tonight when he goes back and say 'this is a different class of opposition'. They’re quicker, stronger than he faced in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, and he knows his level will have to jump up.
"You’re now playing big boy football in the Champions League. If you want to compete, you have to be quicker, you have to be better than he showed tonight."
Eze was very much the leading light at Palace, helping them win the FA Cup and the Community Shield in 2025. At Arsenal, his quality compliments a number of other stellar names and Arteta is still finding out how best to use his summer signing.
Martin Odegaard has commanded the role of the team's playmaker, but is set for a spell on the sidelines, potentially allowing for someone to step up in a central position. Out wide, Arsenal have the likes of Martinelli, Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke to pick from.
Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench and quickly found the opening goal for Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench and quickly found the opening goal for Arsenal
(Image: David Ramos/Getty Images)
It has increased the competition but Arteta maintained that those who come off the bench have as big a role to play as those starting this season. Martinelli's form has been up and down for months but his boss was thrilled to see him produce the perfect response en route to being named the Player of the Match.
He said: "I was sure that Gabi was going to react like that. He raised the level to Gabi and he was going to do that. He has such a mentality, he's a player that is constantly willing to learn and improve himself, very demanding with himself. That's the moment that hopefully is going to give him the confidence again to go, because he's done a stunning play."
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