FOOTBALL
By Piyush Wankhede
Posted on February 17, 2026 4:45 pm | Updated on February 17, 2026 3:39 pm
Out of nowhere, Peter Crouch called out Eberechi Eze quiet performance for Arsenal in the 1-1 tie with Brentford. Thus, pointing out how the attacking midfielder barely touched the football. Since arriving in a high-profile transfer, doubts have came in around his ability to settle. Not every expert is convinced he brings enough in Premier League when it matters most For Arsenal.
Crouch’s Assessment: Eberechi Eze
After Arsenal stumbled to a flat result at the Gtech Community Stadium, Crouch pointed out how Eberechi Eze faded early. Not once did he really settle into the rhythm of play during those opening minutes. Instead of driving forward, his touch went cold. Without urgency in his movement, even basic control slipped away. While others chased loose balls, he stayed passive. That kind of effort does not match what you see from their skipper, Martin Odegaard. When it comes to hunting down plays far from goal, the contrast grew hard to ignore.
Halfway through, Eze left the field having touched the ball just 17 times – barely active during his stint. Odegaard stepped in, gathering nearly the same number of contacts in far less time, shifting the game’s rhythm fast. Crouch called him ineffective, someone who didn’t spark play nor push high enough to unsettle Brentford’s back line. Those words pointed sideways too, toward choices made on the touchline, not just performance on grass. Arteta may be leaning away from picking Eze early, judging by recent outings that failed to impress fans tuned into patterns.
Not far off the mark, Crouch pointed out Arsenal’s strong lineup compared to others in the division – yet questioned why they falter when it matters most. Big games expose gaps, he suggested, especially for high-priced names such as Eze, whose performances haven’t quite matched the cost tag or club goals.
Broader Criticism And Debate Around Eze’s Form
It isn’t just Crouch who sees it that way. Others in the media have questioned whether Eze fits into Arsenal’s setup, particularly given what he once showed at Crystal Palace. At his previous club, flair and finishing came naturally – goals in big moments proved that – but translating those sparks to north London hasn’t happened smoothly. Some glimpses stand out, yet consistency remains off track
Off the mark comes a take from ex-striker Jermain Defoe, who said Eze didn’t measure up during that Brentford clash, falling short of the liveliness usually seen in top-tier play. Yet he hinted it might tie back to conditioning gaps or sparse game time.
Midway through, numbers told their own story – Eze kept retreating into back zones, barely touching key moments. While Arsenal’s forward efforts felt oddly quiet despite facing a compact Brentford setup. Not what anyone anticipated from someone with Eze’s flair, nor how the team normally pushes forward.
Still, a few ex-Arsenal names stand by Eze’s promise. Learning Arteta’s setup isn’t instant. In this case, it asks for sharp runs, tight shape, and grit when chasing back. That kind of balance? It grows slowly. Fans keep circling back to how Arsenal uses inventive talents – less about flashes of brilliance, more about showing up the same way every time. What matters grows clearer: fitting into the system beats standout moments. Shape shifts matter just as much as natural flair. Staying sharp through changes? That’s the real test now.
Conclusion
Now here comes Peter Crouch, pointing out how Eberechi Eze barely touched the game during Arsenal’s 1–1 stalemate with Brentford. That quiet spell adds fuel to the rising doubts around the midfielder’s place in the setup. Though flashes of skill prove his quality, especially from earlier matches this term, lately he has faded when needed most. Tougher fixtures seem to expose gaps – maybe it’s belief, maybe system fit, perhaps just rhythm slipping through fingers.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see how this goes. Will Eberechi Eze be the man everyone expects from him at Arsenal? Share your opinion in the comments below.
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