Arteta reveals how he cheered up 'grumpy' Eze before Bayern goal
Mikel Arteta has revealed he made a point of cheering up Eberechi Eze before the forward came off the bench to score against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, describing the player as 'grumpy' beforehand.
Speaking in comments carried by the BBC, Arteta discussed the lighter side of man management, explaining how he worked to lift Eze's mood before sending him into the action. The forward responded by making an instant impact off the bench, netting against the German giants in the Champions League clash.
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Impact substitute
Eze has increasingly become a useful option for Arteta to turn to from the bench this season, and his goal against Bayern Munich was the latest example of his ability to change a game in a short space of time. The anecdote from Arteta offers a glimpse into the relationship between manager and player behind the scenes at London Colney, and the human side of preparing a squad for a huge European night.
Arsenal's clash with Bayern Munich came amid a backdrop of other team news, with the BBC also reporting concerns that Bukayo Saka could be out for as long as two months. That timeline has not been attributed to an official club statement in the material published alongside Arteta's comments, but it underlines the scale of the challenge facing Arsenal as they manage a long list of fixtures across multiple competitions.
Managing a squad under pressure
Losing a player of Saka's quality for an extended period would be a significant blow to Arsenal's attacking options, making contributions from players like Eze even more important in the weeks ahead. Arteta's man management, as shown in his approach to Eze before the Bayern Munich match, could prove just as valuable as tactical tweaks if Arsenal are to cope with injuries to key personnel.
With the Gunners juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments, squad depth and morale will both be under scrutiny. Eze's willingness to deliver after being talked round by his manager is the kind of moment Arteta will hope becomes a theme rather than a one off as the season progresses.
Arsenal will be hoping for more of the same from their bench options as they continue to manage a demanding fixture schedule through the winter months.
