'Eze was not good enough' - Defoe criticises Eberechi after Arsenal’s draw with Brentford

Former England striker Jermain Defoe has questioned Eberechi Eze’s impact following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brentford.

Arsenal missed a key opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table, with the dropped points trimming their advantage over Manchester City to four.

While several Arsenal players came under scrutiny, Defoe singled out Eze for criticism after what he described as a subdued display.

“Eze was not good enough. It feels like he’s playing with the handbrake on. I understand he hasn’t played many games and might not be fully match fit, but you still expect a little bit more,” Defoe said.

The former Tottenham forward also suggested that the pressure of the title race may have influenced Arsenal’s overall performance, particularly in a demanding away fixture.

“It’s a difficult place to go. You have to cut out individual mistakes and keep concentration levels high. Brentford were better in the second half. Arsenal wasted the first half,” Defoe added.

Eze’s limited involvement stood out, with the England international registering just 17 touches throughout the match.

Since his move from Crystal Palace, manager Mikel Arteta has used him sparingly.