Pardew: Eze is 'not' suited to left wing role, tips him as Arsenal sub

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Eberechi Eze's performance against Nottingham Forest has sparked fresh debate about where exactly he fits into Mikel Arteta's plans, with one former Premier League manager suggesting the summer signing may be better suited to a role off the bench.

Arsenal have won three straight since the international break, including narrow 1-0 victories over Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, but Sunday's trip to the City Ground was far from convincing. Eze started on the left before being replaced at half time by Noni Madueke, who went on to score the winner.

Pardew questions Eze's fit

Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes Eze struggles to deliver what Arteta wants from either a No. 10 or a left winger, telling talkSPORT that his instinct to drift inside creates problems for Arsenal's shape out wide.

“In certain games, against lesser opposition, Eze will be given that No. 10 position,” Pardew said. “But I've seen him on that left side for Crystal Palace a few times and it's just not him. He's never going to go down the left hand side and whip crosses in, he wants to come and play centrally. He's going to make the game too narrow and therefore you've not got enough width, so it's a problem.”

Pardew went further, suggesting Arteta was right to withdraw Eze at the break but questioned the decision to start him in that position in the first place. “Arteta took him off rightly, in my opinion, as it just wasn't working. In the first instance though, perhaps he shouldn't have started him there, and used him as an impact as a No.10. And I think that will be his role at Arsenal, if they need a goal. I don't think Eze is going to be a starter for Arsenal, I think he's a sub and if they need a moment, then the manager can give him the last 10-15 minutes of games.”

Eze arrived last summer as part of a wave of significant signings that helped fire Arsenal to the league title, but like several others from that window he has found this season tougher going.

Araujo interest clarified

Arsenal and Manchester United were among the clubs who pushed for Sporting CP's Maxi Araujo before he signed a contract extension in August, but according to Sport Witness, neither club has intensified their interest since the transfer window closed.

That comes despite speculation on the continent of a potential £55million offer for the player, a figure that would mark a significant return on a man Sporting signed from Mexican side Toluca back in 2024. The latest reports, however, appear to be wide of the mark given the lack of concrete movement from either English club.

Araujo, capable of playing left back or on the left of midfield, is now tied to Sporting until 2030. He has one goal and two assists for his club this season but has been more productive in a more advanced role on international duty.

With a Champions League trip to Bayern Munich looming midweek, Arteta's selection choices, including Eze's role, will continue to draw scrutiny as the fixture list intensifies.