Eberechi Eze’s role a major concern for 2026

Eberechi Eze role has been questioned by former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, who says the £60m signing is being played out of position under Mikel Arteta and is struggling to find a consistent role in the team.

Eberechi Eze role under scrutiny

Matthew Upson told BBC Sport that Eze’s positional rotation has made it difficult for the England international to establish himself in Arsenal’s starting XI. The playmaker arrived from Crystal Palace last summer for a fee reported by BBC Sport at £60m and contributed during Arsenal’s title-winning campaign — including a memorable hat-trick in his first North London Derby appearance against Tottenham — as the club lifted the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Despite those highlights, Upson believes Eze has not been able to show his best form this season because of where he has been played. “I think that finding his role and position has been challenging,” Upson said. “And when you come to a club with the stature and the quality of Arsenal, if you’re not showing that you’re nailing down a certain role, I think it’s very very hard to maintain a position in the team.”

“He’s now filling in a bit on the left-hand side, which I don’t think particularly suits him, but he’s had to. He doesn’t play like a wide player for me and I think just knowing your role when you’re at a club like Arsenal is so important.”

Background and context

Eze joined Arsenal after a breakthrough period at Crystal Palace and quickly won over supporters with his derby performance. While his first season ended on a high as part of a title-winning squad, his early form in the following campaign has been slower than expected, a point Upson highlighted in his comments to BBC Sport.

Part of the difficulty for Eze is Arsenal’s personnel and availability in the centre of midfield and attacking midfield roles. Martin Ødegaard is fit and playing centrally, which reduces opportunities for Eze to occupy his preferred central positions. Meanwhile, Arsenal have needed cover on the left flank with Christos Tzolis out injured; Noni Madueke has been used as another option but has generally shown his best work on the right side.

How Arteta’s choices affect Eze

Upson’s critique focuses on Mikel Arteta’s deployment of Eze as a wide option. Playing out wide demands different defensive and positional responsibilities than the central or number 10 role where Eze has previously excelled. That tactical shift, Upson suggests, has limited Eze’s ability to influence games consistently.

Arsenal’s manager is widely regarded as a strong coach who can adapt players into new positions, and the club will expect Arteta to find ways to get the best from a player whose signing carried significant expectation after last season’s impact.

Club recruitment debate

The situation has also prompted discussion about Arsenal’s recent recruitment strategy. Upson’s comments underline a wider critique that the club has spent on attacking additions across consecutive windows without those signings necessarily raising the overall consistent output of the frontline. That assessment reflects frustration among some observers about how new arrivals are integrated into Arteta’s system.

What Happens Next

For now, Eze may continue to be asked to operate on the left until central options are rotated or injuries change the team setup. That will require adjustments from the 28-year-old, who must adapt to a role that, according to Upson, does not play to his natural strengths. Arsenal supporters will be watching to see whether Arteta can reposition Eze in a manner that restores the consistency he showed in his first season at the club.

How quickly Eze adapts and whether Arsenal alter their approach will determine both his minutes and his long-term influence on the team’s attacking output.

Source: Original report

Related: More Eberechi Eze role coverage