Arteta Reveals Why He Pulled Eze in Shocking Brentford Substitution

Mikel Arteta explained his decision to substitute Eberechi Eze during the interval of Thursday's 1–1 stalemate against Brentford, stating the £67.5 million ($91.9 million) signing wasn't creating enough "difficulties" for the opposition.

Eze's summer move to Arsenal represented a fairy-tale return for the lifelong supporter who was released from the youth system at age 13, yet justifying his enormous transfer fee is proving increasingly challenging.

Given the responsibility of being Arsenal's primary creative force at the Gtech Community Stadium, Eze managed only 17 touches, completed merely nine passes (from 11 attempts), created zero opportunities and registered no attempts on goal—his combined xG and xA for 45 minutes of play for the table-toppers totaled just 0.02.

Arteta refrained from heavily criticizing Eze's display, but was direct about the 27-year-old falling short of expectations: "Given how [Brentford] were applying pressure, we required a different type of player to create significantly more difficulties for them in those zones. [Martin Ødegaard] entered the game excellently and the squad found another level with greater attacking threat in the areas we targeted. That explains the substitution."

A treble in the North London Derby during late November marked a pivotal moment for Eze, yet he hasn't found the net or provided an assist for Arsenal in any tournament since three days following that peak. He experienced a period completely out of the starting eleven from December through January, remaining on the substitutes' bench for four straight Premier League matches—all victories—and Thursday marked his first league start in eight weeks.

Eberechi Eze: Key Stats per 90 Minutes This Season

Eberechi Eze: Key Stats per 90 Minutes This Season

Stats via Fotmob, accurate as of Feb. 13, 2026.

Generally, Arteta seems to be extending patience to Eze for the time being, both as someone still adapting during his initial months at Arsenal and as an attacking player confronting a robust Brentford team.

"I believe he showed flashes and it's challenging when you join a new club, it's always the same," Arteta commented. "When facing a side like [Brentford], possession isn't maintained on the ground frequently and you must continuously disrupt their rhythm. Achieving that, particularly for offensive and creative talents, proves more demanding."

Arsenal Need Eze to Step Up

Arsenal Need Eze to Step Up

Ødegaard started the Brentford match among the substitutes following recent fitness concerns, while Arsenal will be missing Kai Havertz for a minimum of three upcoming fixtures and Mikel Merino for most, if not all, of the remaining campaign. This creates opportunities for Eze, with the Gunners competing across four tournaments.

Eventually, the former Crystal Palace playmaker must start producing results to lessen the burden on Ødegaard, particularly when Arsenal may need to compete every few days while maintaining their standards.

Beyond the club's silverware ambitions—it's been six years since major honors arrived in the red portion of north London and a 22-year drought for the Premier League crown—Eze also faces the approaching 2026 World Cup with England on the horizon.

Given his current performances, his position in that squad appears uncertain.

Eze has consistently remained in the England squad since his debut in June 2023, even finding the net as a substitute in two of the previous three World Cup qualifiers versus Latvia and Serbia during October and November. However, there hasn't been an international break since his decline in club performances, and whether Thomas Tuchel includes Eze for next month's preparation friendlies against Uruguay and Japan will likely signal his tournament prospects.

There exists substantial competition for offensive positions in the England roster. Cole Palmer hasn't appeared since June due to first-half season injuries, while Ollie Watkins, Anthony Gordon and Morgan Gibbs-White were absent in November as well. Even Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly, previously selected by Tuchel as a full-back, poses a challenge to Eze considering his recent excellence in advanced positions at club level.