Eze's long-game approach and late-season form could help Arsenal

When asked for a motto on the Men in Blazers podcast, Eberechi Eze replied: “It’s not about now. It’s the long game.” Remaining patient has been a theme since he was released by Arsenal at 13, rejected by other clubs and later finding a home at Queens Park Rangers.

His £67.5m return from Crystal Palace began brightly, highlighted by a hat-trick against Tottenham, but the goals have dried up and Mikel Arteta appears to have lost faith. Eze has gone 18 appearances in all competitions without scoring since the 4-1 win over Spurs and has been reduced to a bit-part role.

He was substituted at half-time after an ineffective display against Brentford in his first league start for almost two months, while Bukayo Saka was preferred in the No 10 role against Wolves. With Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard back in contention, Eze faces another fight to force his way back into the side as he also attempts to earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.

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