Arsenal's Eberechi Eze taken off at half-time in win at Nottingham Forest
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The gist
Arsenal forward Eberechi Eze was replaced at half-time in his first Premier League start of the season, a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
The England international's role is under scrutiny after one goal in nine Arsenal appearances.
Background
Eberechi Eze is an Arsenal forward and England international, formerly of Crystal Palace, known for off-the-cuff skill and an entertaining style. He was one of several stars Arsenal signed in summer 2025 at significant cost; the investment helped Arsenal win the league title last term, but he and others have found it tougher this term. His performance is under scrutiny now because Arsenal failed to land a new world-class attacker in the transfer window despite heavy interest in Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, and because summer signing Christos Tzolis had been Mikel Arteta's first-choice winger until a hamstring injury on international duty opened the way for Eze.
How it unfolded
- 2025Eze scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City while at Crystal Palace.
- December 2025Eze switched off when Matty Cash scored Aston Villa's opener in a 2-1 defeat; despite starting the following game, he was left on the substitute's bench for the next four league matches.
- Oct 13, 2026Eze scored his first goal of the season in a start on the left wing in Arsenal's Champions League victory over Lille.
- Oct 15, 2026Eze lost a best-of-three EA Sports FC contest to YouTuber IShowSpeed and will perform a celebration chosen by Speed after his next goal.
- Oct 18, 2026Eze was named in Arsenal's starting line-up on the left wing ahead of Noni Madueke for the Premier League match at Nottingham Forest, his first Premier League start of the season.
- Oct 18, 2026Eze was replaced at half-time by Noni Madueke, the eventual matchwinner, in Arsenal's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest; he completed just nine passes and had 22 touches of the ball.
- Oct 21, 2026BBC reported Eze has scored one goal in nine appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the half-time change was tactical, that against a team defending with 10 players around the box you need fresh legs and a different profile, and that 'three days ago he scored a goal, he should have scored three and we were all happy.'
- Caution
- Former Premier League manager and talkSPORT pundit Alan Pardew said Eze cannot deliver what Arteta demands from either a No 10 or a left winger, that on the left 'it's just not him,' and predicted he will be a substitute at Arsenal.
- Expert
- Former Arsenal and England defender Matt Upson said finding his role and position has been challenging and that filling in on the left-hand side doesn't particularly suit him.
- Official
- England manager Thomas Tuchel referenced Eze 'coming back to his true shape and form' in training during the last international break, hinting he has not been at his best this season.
Still unverified
Rumours across Europe of a potential £55million offer for Sporting's Maxi Araujo appear to be inaccurate, according to the report. FootballTransfers reported that Eze faces an uncertain long-term future at Arsenal amid their pursuit of a new superstar left winger.