At a Glance:
Eberechi Eze told Mikel Arteta the Arsenal players needed “space.”
Why Arteta listened.
Mikel Arteta on Eze’s personality.
Mikel Arteta is one of the best managers in the world and as things stand, there is a case to be made that the Spaniard is the standout coach in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won the Premier League and considering they are also in the Champions League final, the 44-year-old deserves to be mentioned in the upper echelon of managers in world football.
The former Everton midfielder has taken plenty of measures to ensure his team taste success, with Mikel Arteta banning news broadcast stations being one of them to block out the outside noise.
However, Eberechi Eze gave his manager a piece of advice that could very well have been fundamental to the Gunners winning the title.
Eberechi Eze told Mikel Arteta the Arsenal players needed a break
The Independent have reported that days after Mikel Arteta’s side lost 2-1 to AFC Bournemouth were considered the ‘worst’ of their season. The pressure of facing Manchester City shortly after weighed on the players for months, however, their troubles were not just mental but physical as well due to two primary reasons.
The unrelenting fixture schedule
Mikel Arteta demanding the players to work harder after setbacks
Arteta’s approach also coincided with several players suffering injuries in April. While Manchester City’s high standards have pushed Arsenal to raise the bar themselves, football and life is all about balance.
However, Eze went on to tell Mikel Arteta that the Arsenal players need “a bit of space” and the manager obliged in three ways.
Less intense training sessions
More days off
Three-day break before Burnley contest followed by a barbeque
Mikel Arteta on why Eberechi Eze has a ‘special’ personality
Eze has become a Premier League champion and the fact that he had the guts to approach Arteta to change his ways in his debut season at Arsenal speaks volumes about the midfielder’s character.
The former Crystal Palace technician could have easily expected a seasoned leader like Declan Rice in the dressing room to take such a bold step but decided to take responsibility himself.
However, Mikel Arteta has revealed Eze has a unique personality, praising how laid-back he is and for being a glue behind the scenes.
“He has a unique way of expressing himself. Inside, none of us know how he’s feeling. But what he actually transmits to the world outside is such a security and calmness and composure in every situation on the field. He does and especially the way he talks and connects with people, it’s very much like that. I think that’s something special.
“We need players like that, we need players that can have a different kind of presence on the pitch and body language and Ebz brings something unique and something very powerful to the team.”
Srinivas Sadhanand
Srinivas Sadhanand is a writer for Read Arsenal and Read Man City, with over eight years of experience as a sports journalist. He has worked for established companies such as GRV Media, The Economic Times, Urban Pitch and Sportskeeda among several others. From interview athletes to writing detailed tactical pieces and covering the impact streetwear and music in football, he has many strings to his bow as a journalist. Being a lifelong Manchester City fan, he specialises in writing about them and the Premier League in particular. Away from the desk, he loves watching European football, cricket, films, listening to music and exploring new foods.
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