Eberechi Eze given stark warning his stats could nosedive in new Arsenal role
Eberechi Eze is still adapting to his new role at Arsenal, having joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old notched an assist when Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, 13 September.
Meanwhile, the England international is being utilised as an out-and-out winger by Mikel Arteta, whereas he was often deployed as an attacking midfielder for the Eagles.
During Arsenal’s Champions League win over Athletic Club on Tuesday, 16 September, Eze was subbed off just seconds before his replacement, Gabriel Martinelli, scored the Gunners’ opening goal.
Eberechi Eze told he could get fewer goals and assists at Arsenal
Unlike at Crystal Palace, Eze will not be Arteta’s star attacker, amid the presence of fellow Arsenal summer signings Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, while Bukayo Saka is yet to return.
Meanwhile, speaking on BBC’s Champions League Match of the Day on Wednesday, 17 September, Leon Osman warned: “When you are somebody like Eberechi Eze and you’re at Palace, you have the freedom to go and do what you want.
“You can play in any position that gives you the best opportunity to create for the club, whereas now he’s at Arsenal he’s going to have to fit into how Mikel Arteta sees the player to get the best out of him.
“Out on that left-hand side for Arsenal, that’s where Mikel is wanting to play him. You can see (Riccardo) Calafiori being pushed into the middle areas.
“Mikel is demanding that Eze stays out wide. You could see from the game plan, to get around the outside, to try and get round the defensive line.
“But he just wants to drift in, he wants to still be that. I think it’ll take time. I think as a player, you have this natural desire to go into where you feel you’re going to get most of the ball, where you’ve been actually playing your best football, scoring all your goals.
“He’s had some good goals and assists rates over the last few seasons. Now that may change because he’s going to be adopting a different position.”
Eberechi Eze has the quality to deliver in his new role
Osman is right to suggest that Eze will have to adapt to a new role in a different environment at Arsenal than the one he was used to at Crystal Palace.
| Eberechi Eze stats | All competitions 2025/26 |
| Appearances | 3 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
However, by producing an assist against Forest in his first Premier League start for the North Londoners, the former Eagles man has proven he is ready for the step-up.
The England international will face an entirely different challenge when Arsenal come up against potential title rivals Manchester City in their next Premier League game on Sunday, 21 September.
However, even though he was playing in a different position, the fact that Eze notched 14 goals and 12 assists in 43 appearances for Crystal Palace last term proves that he can produce the goods for Arsenal, where he has stronger teammates than his former colleagues at Selhurst Park.
If the 27-year-old delivers against Man City on 21 September, he can ease any worries about adapting to his new club.