Football365 reported that Eberechi Eze is fighting for his future at Arsenal after failing to impress in the early months of the new season. Arsenal spent £70m to sign Eze from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2025.
Early-season numbers and previous returns
Eze got eight goals and eight assists for Crystal Palace in the 2024/25 season. He scored seven goals and provided two assists for Arsenal last term as they won the Premier League.
He has a goal and an assist in eight appearances in all competitions this season. Football365 said Arsenal fans are becoming worried by Eze's form.
Merson's view on the step up
Arsenal legend Paul Merson told Sky Sports: "I’ve played for big teams and I’ve played for teams that weren’t big – it’s a different game. Eberechi Eze is a prime example. It’s so, so different."
Merson told Sky Sports: "He was substituted at half-time against Forest, but if he played like that for Crystal Palace, he would still be on the pitch."
Merson told Sky Sports: "You’ve got to perform at Arsenal. You’ve got to play in a shape. You can’t just play your own game. You can’t be a free spirit at big clubs anymore."
Merson told Sky Sports: "The lad can play. He’s a lovely player, but I don’t know if he’ll be lovely for Arsenal. I don’t know if he’ll get the chance because as soon as he doesn’t do well, he’s off."
Concerns cited from TEAMtalk
Football365 said TEAMtalk reported that Arsenal are beginning to have similar worries to Merson. Football365 said TEAMtalk reported that the concern is that Eze is in danger of becoming little more than a squad option, with no clear route into the starting XI.
Football365 said TEAMtalk reported that frustration is growing on both sides and doubts are emerging over Eze's ability to establish himself as a regular under Mikel Arteta.
Bailey on role and chances
TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey explained: "The problem is that there is a position up for grabs at Arsenal – on the left. Everyone knows it, Arsenal do, and so does Eze. They also know he isn’t the answer."
Bailey explained: "Despite arriving in a deal that is pushing towards £70million, he is clearly not seen as the solution, even in the short term, although all along we were told that he was signed as a 10, an attacking midfielder and not really a left-sided option."
Bailey added: "Arsenal, when you talk to them, insist it is a squad game, but that is the issue for Eze – he is clearly a squad player at the Emirates and no more than that."
Bailey added: "Eze had a huge chance at the weekend to impress at Nottingham Forest and, for me, I think he will be lucky to have another league start between now and Christmas, such was the underwhelming display he turned out at the City Ground."