Eberechi Eze made a comment to Mikel Arteta following Arsenal's crushing defeat to Bournemouth that played a major factor in their Premier League triumph.
Arsenal have won their first Premier League title in 22 years after Manchester City were held 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday.
The result at the Vitality Stadium meant Arsenal couldn't be caught as they finally got their hands on the league title after finishing runners-up in the past three seasons.
Arsenal have had a superb league campaign this season, with the likes of David Raya, Gabriel and Declan Rice excelling, not to mention Eze, who joined the club for £67.5 million from Crystal Palace last summer.
Eberechi Eze Made Request to Mikel Arteta
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring vs Tottenham
Eze has weighed in with important goals and assists for Arsenal in their Premier League-winning season, having scored a stunning hat-trick against cross-city rivals Tottenham at the Emirates in November and the winner against Newcastle United last month.
But his biggest contribution may have come in the shape of a request to Arteta following Arsenal's home defeat to Bournemouth in April.
Arsenal suffered a bruising 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth that could have derailed their league campaign. They missed a chance to go 12 points clear at the top before Manchester City's game at Chelsea, which they won.
The defeat to Bournemouth came off the back of their Carabao Cup final heartbreak to Man City and their shock FA Cup elimination to Championship side Southampton.
In his piece for the Independent, Miguel Delaney references Arsenal's physical problem, stating the players "looked and felt exhausted" due to the hectic schedule and Arteta's training demands. His response to any setback was to work harder on the training ground.
Despite being one of Arsenal's latest recruits, Eze intervened to lighten his side's workload and told Arteta: "We can do this, but we need a bit of space."
Mikel Arteta Took Eberechi Eze’s Message on Board
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
Arteta listened to the 27-year-old and days off were subsequently increased, the intensity of training sessions were lightened and in the week before they secured their first league title since 2004, he gave his squad three days off followed by a barbecue.
It came at a crucial moment, per the report. Despite losing at Man City, Arsenal went onto beat Newcastle — thanks to Eze — Fulham, West Ham United and Burnley in the league, as well as Atletico Madrid to book their spot in the Champions League final.
Delaney claims there was a sense that Man City had celebrated their victory over Arsenal too much, which encouraged Arteta's team.
They believed again, and so did the Spaniard's willingness to go with the momentum.