Why Arsenal boss Arteta benched popular Anglo-Nigerian Eberechi Eze for 4th straight match

Just weeks ago, Crystal Palace icon Eberechi Eze was the toast of North London after a legendary hat-trick against Tottenham. 

But following Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday night, the 27-year-old Anglo-Nigerian finds himself in a puzzling reality: four consecutive Premier League matches as an unused substitute.

The continued benching of one of the league's most creative players has sparked fierce debate among the Arsenal faithful, with Mikel Arteta finally breaking his silence on why the £67.5 million man has become a spectator during the title run-in.

Speaking after the hard-fought victory at the Vitality Stadium, Arteta didn't shy away from addressing the elephant in the room. 

While acknowledging Eze's "magic moments" earlier in the season, the Spaniard suggested that the playmaker is currently failing to meet the defensive and tactical demands required of his system.

"Ebs has played more minutes than ever at this time, 22 out of 28 games," Arteta noted. "But there are things we need to improve. The level of the team is very high right now, and every player must understand the emotional and tactical state of the game."

The statement, measured but pointed, hints at concerns beyond pure creativity. In Arteta's meticulously structured Arsenal, every player must contribute defensively, track back with discipline, and understand their role within the collective shape. 

For a talent as instinctive and free-flowing as Eze, adapting to such rigid tactical constraints has proven challenging.

The primary reason for Eze's exile appears to be the return to form of Martin Odegaard. Since the captain's recovery from injury, Arteta has favoured the stability and work rate of a midfield trio featuring Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi. 

With Leandro Trossard also performing at a high level on the left wing, Eze has found his two primary positions, attacking midfield and left wing, completely occupied.

Rice underlined Arsenal's current momentum with an impressive double against Bournemouth, helping secure the Gunners' fifth consecutive league win. 

The victory moves Arsenal into a provisional six-point lead over Manchester City, tightening their grip on the Premier League title race.

In such form, and with the team winning consistently, Arteta faces little pressure to alter his winning formula. The old football adage rings true: you don't change a winning team.

The timing of this benching couldn't be worse for Eze personally. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, the midfielder is desperate for minutes to secure his spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad. Extended periods on the bench during a critical phase of the season could jeopardise his international ambitions.

Fans in Nigeria, who still follow the midfielder, the second most popular Nigerian last year, are also watching with concern as one of the most exciting talents in the league finds himself frozen out during a title charge

Eze's situation represents one of football's most difficult puzzles. On one hand, Arsenal are winning, playing well, and closing in on their first Premier League title in over two decades. On the other, a £67.5 million signing who delivered a North London Derby hat-trick is watching from the sidelines.

For Arteta, the calculation is clear: team success trumps individual concerns, especially when silverware is within reach. For Eze, the frustration must be mounting. Talent alone is not enough in this Arsenal system. Tactical discipline, defensive contribution, and understanding the manager's demanding structure are equally vital.

With the World Cup on the horizon and his career at a crossroads, the next few months will define whether this benching is a temporary setback or a turning point in his Arsenal career.