Former Arsenal midfielder Anders Limpar claims that the Gunners have yet to bring the best out of Eberechi Eze.

The attacking midfielder was signed from Crystal Palace for £67.5m in the summer, but Limpar believes we have only seen a fraction of his potential so far. He wants Eze to be handed a free role to make the most of his ability:

“We haven’t seen even 10 per cent of Ebere Eze’s best in an Arsenal shirt yet. When I look at Eze, he floats all over the pitch like [Bukayo] Saka. For Eze to be at his best for Arsenal, he should never have a fixed position. He has to go where the space is like Phil Foden. He can’t just be stuck on the left side.”

“He is one of the players who can excel in that free role. We haven’t seen nearly enough from him and what he can do for the club but he is a favourite player of mine. Just give him a few goals and I think he’s going to explode for Arsenal.”

Arteta won’t give Eze that freedom

Arsenal’s success under manager Mikel Arteta has been mostly down to tactical discipline, both in defence and attack. The Spaniard’s rigid system is designed to gain control of the game, which means there is limited freedom in and out of possession.

For that reason, it is hard to see Eze being handed the sort of role that Limpar is advocating, based on the approach we have seen since Arteta took the job six years ago.

Arsenal’s most creative position is up for grabs

Captain Martin Odegaard generally gets the most license in the final third, and with the Norwegian absent due to injury, Eze has been handed the keys for now.

Of course, there are others in the first-team squad, such as Ethan Nwaneri, who covet that position too, so it will be up to Eze to make the most of his time as the No.10.

Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here