Jamie Redknapp has revealed a theory behind why Eberechi Eze continues to be left on the bench by Mikel Arteta. The much-loved England international was an unused substitute during Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Bournemouth on Saturday evening, as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points ahead of Manchester City playing their game in hand.
Arsenal’s hierarchy spent £67.5 million to help the attacking midfielder complete his dream move back to his boyhood club over the summer, and it initially appeared the former Crystal Palace creator-in-chief would be an instant hit in north London. However, he has been left on the bench in the last four fixtures, even at times when it seemed his new club were struggling to find the back of the net.
Last season, Eze scored eight goals and provided a further eight assists in the Premier League with far less help around him. Meanwhile, his return of three goals and two assists in the FA Cup proved a driving force behind the Eagles’ first major honour, and his influence gives ample reason to believe he deserves more playing time at the Emirates Stadium.
Redknapp Shares Theory on Eze's Limited Playing Time
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze
Speaking after Arsenal’s victory over Bournemouth, Redknapp claimed that Arteta’s desire to close out games could mean that Eze may struggle for playing time if he is named as a substitute. The pundit told Sky Sports, via the Metro:
"They’re bringing on [Mikel] Merino towards the end of the game, and he’s [Arteta] not looking around to bring on Eze or Myles Lewis-Skelly to go and win the game 4-2 or 5-2. He’s thinking, ‘I want to keep hold of what I’ve got’, that’s the sort of manager he is, I don’t think he’s going to be that expansive."
It would seem that, while successful managers in the past have lived by the mantra that attack is the best form of defence, Arteta instead subscribes to the belief that it is defence which wins you titles.
The Gunners have become set-piece specialists during his time at the club, while their defensive record has regularly topped the charts, resulting in a more pragmatic approach to their pursuit of a first league title since 2004.
Arsenal's Premier League Title Chances
Mikel Arteta
Following Arsenal’s 4-1 win over third-placed Aston Villa in midweek, second-placed Manchester City were held to a goalless draw at Sunderland. That result saw Arteta’s side open up a four-point lead at the summit, which has since grown to seven points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side facing managerless Chelsea on Sunday evening.
It feels as though this year could finally be Arsenal’s, following three successive runners-up finishes. Their mentality and ability to navigate a busy winter period both appear to have improved drastically this time around.
Much of that can be attributed to squad depth that Paul Merson has described as being as strong as Manchester United’s peak years under Sir Alex Ferguson, while the supercomputer now gives the Gunners an 82 per cent chance of lifting the title come May.