Mikel Arteta was clearly delighted by Eberechi Eze’s derby performance last Sunday, the second time this season the midfielder has grabbed a north London clash by the scruff of the neck. But arguably more interesting than the praise was the revelation that the England international had voiced frustration at being overlooked for the draw at Wolves, and that the manager is only now starting “to understand how we’re going to get the best out of him”.
A settling-in period is nothing new, but many Arsenal supporters expected Eze to hit the ground running after his summer arrival. There have been flashes of real quality, six assists and seven goals is not to be sniffed at, but his impact hasn’t quite been consistent enough to lock down a regular starting spot, even if the minutes have still added up.
Indeed, when Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz have both been available, which admittedly hasn’t been often, Arteta has tended to lean towards them, sometimes at Eze’s expense.
If there is an acceptance that everyone is still getting used to each other, the obvious question is what has shifted for Arteta to feel he now has a clearer read on how to unlock the player.
“You see how players react in relation to certain decisions that you take. When you have better games, when they have certain difficulties throughout the games,” he explained ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.
“His role has been modified a few times throughout the season, his reaction has always been top – that’s what we need, because he’s been exceptional in the manner that he’s behaving every single day.
“What we need is for those manners to be transformed into huge performances that decides football matches, that’s the reason why we bought him.
Pressed on whether it’s more about understanding the player emotionally, Arteta agreed, but suggested the shift is also tactical.
“Yes, I think so, and tactically as well. To understand him, you have to understand how he connects with other players.
“What are the best connections that we can build in and around him in the spaces that he’s more comfortable to use.
“There are certain behaviours that he’s changed dramatically into really positive things. In the end, you don’t know if you’re going to see them in a week, two weeks, or a month. But they’re coming.”
One thing that seems clear is that motivation isn’t the issue. And that’s just as well, because Arteta doesn’t believe inspiration can be manufactured with pep talks alone.
“Motivation has never been an issue. I believe that if you have to motivate a player we have a big problem. Because that motivation is what, just a talk? Someone that inspires you for a minute or an hour, how much does it last?
“I think the biggest motivation he has is the reason why he came to this club. Because he really feels attached and that he belongs here. And the rest is moments that you have to have through your career, when you move to a different club, navigate with that and make sure you do everything that you possibly can to make it work.”
It might also help that the season is tilting towards spring. Eze has reportedly produced 24 goals and assists across his last 31 Premier League appearances between March and May, a record that suggests he tends to find rhythm as the run-in approaches.
Asked if that’s a trend he can sustain, Arteta said: “He can do. And obviously now as well, he’s got many more months and games and understanding of what again is required for him to make the difference. And I hope that that’s the case, and now he just smashes it from here to the end of the season.”
If that growing understanding between player and manager continues to develop, the timing could hardly be better. Arsenal are entering the stretch of the season where individual moments carry extra weight, and the hope will be that Eze’s flashes start turning into something more sustained.