Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to the media during the post-match press conference. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The 27-year-old has played just 198 minutes of first-team football in his last four games. So far he has made just eleven league appearances for Arsenal.
Eberechi Eze has had limited playing time
Naturally, there has been speculation about the player and his importance to Arteta. The Arsenal manager has now revealed that the 27-year-old has had plenty of game time, and would not have played as much for Crystal Palace in the past as the Eagles did not have European football until this season.
? Mikel Arteta has explained the *real* reason why Eberechi Eze has NOT played in any of Arsenal’s last three games…? pic.twitter.com/kIEKTtLDtU
— Caught Offside (@offside Caught) January 2, 2026
Therefore, Eze has played his usual minutes at Arsenal so far, and his playing time will need to be managed.
Arteta said: “I speak to every player and the players have to always understand, and the manager has to understand how everyone feels, judge games, judge their emotional state. Eze has played more games and more minutes than ever at the moment. So he’s played, I think, 22 out of 28 games or something like that, so he’s never played that much football, so we’re on the right track.”
Eze will be a key player for Arsenal
Eze is a quality player who has proven himself in the Premier League over the years. He has impressed for Arsenal since joining the club and will be hoping to play regularly. However, Arsenal cannot afford to overuse the player. Eze will also have to adapt to the increased workload and fixtures.
The Arsenal manager’s approach seems reasonable at the moment.
The 27-year-old could be a key player for the team in the second half of the season. Arsenal is aiming for the league title and the UEFA Champions League. If they want to do well in both competitions, they need to manage their squad well.
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