Mikel Arteta is facing criticism over his use of Eberechi Eze following the England international's £67.5m transfer from Crystal Palace to Arsenal during the summer
Eberechi Eze celebrates with Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta left Eberechi Eze on the bench against Everton(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
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Premier League player-turned-pundit Paul Parker believes Mikel Arteta is stifling Eberechi Eze's creativity. Eze has no goals or assists since scoring a hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby.
Martin Odegaard's return from injury is also creating competition for his place in the starting XI. Parker has now questioned why Arsenal spent £67.5million on Eze only for Arteta to take away the player's freedom.
He has told gambling portal British Gambler: "I love what [Morgan] Rogers is doing for Aston Villa, and I think it's similar to what Eberechi Eze did for Crystal Palace when he played in a similar role. Eze was outstanding at the time, and I think he was the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League last season."
However, he expressed concerns about Eze's move to Arsenal, stating: "I think that freedom has been taken away from him by Mikel Arteta since going to Arsenal. They bought him for what he was delivering, and then when they got him, they've tried to get him to do something different; it doesn't make sense for that kind of money."
Arteta himself may take issue with that assessment, having previously insisted he would allow Eze freedom within his tactical framework. The Arsenal manager has said: "I'm really impressed with him [Eze]. I heard a lot of things about him. I spoke to a lot of people about him. He's really bright, has very special energy and a special aura around him. He's really willing."
Mikel Arteta speaks with Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze during an Arsenal match
Eberechi Eze has not scored for Arsenal since his hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur
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Arteta added: "He's already gathered a lot of information on the things that we want to see on the pitch—but especially, making sure that he has the freedom and the capacity to express his quality, which is the reason why we brought him here.
"I think when you are next to him, you are comfortable. He's got a big smile. He asks you the right questions. And then just let him flow with that ball and the ability he has to pick passes, to drive past people effortlessly, and just to understand the timing of things; very impressive.
"We have a lot of players now that can play in different positions, and they can fulfil gaps when we have them, and looking at the start of the season that we already have had with injuries, that's going to be very necessary. So I'm very happy to have the ability to do that."
Eze has been deployed in various roles this season, ranging from left-wing to attacking playmaker and even as the left-sided number eight in midfield. Whilst that has not necessarily translated into consistent output from the 27-year-old, that is often the gamble with a creative player experiencing a purple patch.
With Arsenal finding it challenging to break down defences recently, his absence from the starting XI may be no accident, as the Gunners need that spark of a flair player back in their squad. As the hectic Christmas fixture list arrives, Eze could make a significant impression going into the New Year.
It's yet to be determined just how substantial that contribution might be. However, it could prove crucial in helping his boyhood club mount a challenge for the Premier League title.
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