Mikel Arteta has revealed that Eberechi Eze had to come off at halftime in Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Brentford as he struggled to cope with the opponent’s tactics in the game.
The England international got the nod to start ahead of Martin Odegaard, but was very quiet and had only 17 touches of the ball, which led to his substitution at halftime.
It marked another quiet outing for the summer signing from Crystal Palace, who has not had a goal contribution for the Gunners since November.
Speaking after the match, Arteta explained the decision to sub off the midfielder and backed him to rediscover his form at the club.
“Because with the way that they were pressing, I think we needed another kind of profile to generate many more problems for them around those areas and I think he came on in the pitch really well and the team had another gear and more threat to arrive to the areas that we wanted to do and that’s the decision”, Arteta stated.
“Well I think he had moments and it’s not easy when you move to a new club, it’s always like this and when you play against a team that is like this.”
Arsenal’s title chances suffered a huge blow as their gap at the top was reduced to just four points after the draw.
The Gunners went in front in the second half through Noni Madueke, but Keane Lewis-Potter hit back for the home side, who missed several other chances to clinch a shock win.
“The ball is a lot of times not on the floor and you have to be constantly breaking the play and do that, especially for attacking and creative players, it’s more difficult.”
Arsenal turn their attention to the FA Cup fourth round clash against Wigan on Sunday, before facing Wolves in the Premier League next Wednesday.
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