Mikel Arteta watched his Arsenal side be handed a setback after settling on a 2-2 draw against Sunderland on a difficult night at the Stadium of Light, raising concerns about Eberechi Eze's consistency.
Daniel Ballard gave the hosts a shock lead in the 36th minute with a superb header, and Arteta's men headed in at half-time a goal down. But they are becoming inevitable in their mission to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004.
Bukayo Saka, quiet by his standards, hit a 54th-minute equaliser to draw the visitors level before Leandro Trossard came up with a fabulous 74th-minute winner. But Brian Brobbey came up trumps late on, with a 90+4th minute leveller.
It was one of the toughest tests of the season thus far for the North London giants, and the usually bright Eze wasn't at his best.
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal: Eze Goes Into Hiding
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It wasn't the best of nights for Arsenal, who failed to make it six wins in a row and take a nine-point lead at the top of the table. Trossard continues to show why the Gunners opted to improve his contract rather than sell, and he thought he had bagged the winner in another impressive display.
Eze, meanwhile, will quickly have to learn that there is no room for complacency in the midst of a title race in which he has the chance to win the Premier League in his first season with the Gunners. He set the club back a pretty penny, arriving from Crystal Palace in a £67.5 million deal.
The 27-year-old put in a performance that left much to be admired, and with captain Martin Odegaard edging close to a return from injury, he's under pressure to keep his place in Arteta's side. His usual creative brilliance was missing, and it was another of the league leaders' attackers who came to the fore.
Arsenal's past summer transfer business means Arteta is spoiled for choice in attack, and the addition of Eze came alongside Noni Madueke, who had been in fine form before picking up an injury. Once the English winger is back fit, he'll be another one eyeing a starting berth in this team.
Odegaard will also want to reclaim his place in the starting lineup, and the Norwegian could be available after the international break. That's why Eze can't afford to show inconsistency when there are so many options for his manager to turn to.
"Need Odegaard Back" - Arsenal Fans Dissapointed With Eze
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Arsenal rolled out the red carpet when announcing Eze and you could argue he was the most exciting signing in the summer. He was Palace's star man in a season which saw the Eagles win the FA Cup and he even scored the winner at Wembley before bidding farewell and heading across London.
Eze has performed well for the most part at the start of his Gunners career and came back to haunt his former club with the goal in a 1-0 win over Oliver Glasner's side last month. But this fanbase will expect consistency, and they have made that clear on social media.
One fan was frustrated with his first-half display with his side one-nil down:
"Eze had a horrible first half icl, let’s hope the second goes better."
Another supporter was harsh with his verdict:
"Eze is trash"
One is waiting for their skipper to return:
"Arsenal need Odegaard back. I haven’t loved what Eze has given us for the most part."
Another added:
"Eze looks poor today man. Consistently a second off the pace or so, very frustrating."
One stated:
"Gotta say it. Eze a huge disappointment so far."
Another felt the Englishman had little impact:
"Unpopular opinion: Eze looks lost on the pitch."
Eze will hope to use the international break to get back to his best as part of the England team in FIFA World Cup qualifying action. He will be eager to keep his place on Arteta's side because next up is the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, who missed out on his signature.