Gary Neville believes Eberechi Eze is not going to be allowed to be given a free role in Arsenal’s side under Mikel Arteta.
Eze joined the Gunners in a £67.5 million deal from Crystal Palace in the summertime transfer window however the 27-year-old has been unable to secure an everyday starting role in midfield.
The England international was handed a start in the ultimate game of Arsenal’s Champions League league phase on Wednesday night as he delivered a powerful performance within the 3-2 win against Kairat Almaty.
But through the latest episode of Stick To Football, Neville and Ian Wright raised doubt over whether Eze can slot in Arteta’s system at Arsenal.
‘We’re talking about someone like Eze, now Eze is coming in now and we’re saying, ‘Eze do your thing what you probably did at Palace’, Eze must be played and just free to play,’ Wright said.
Neville replied: ‘I don’t think he’s going to get that.’
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Wright then said: ‘Listening to what the management is saying about enjoyment and players expressing themselves.’
Neville added: ‘He [Arteta] comes from that Pep [Guardiola] school of methodology over what can be being the maverick.
‘After I have a look at Pep’s teams and what he did with [Jack] Grealish and after I see what Mikel does, you’ve got to admire how they put that system into the players, but they do want the methodology and the strategy of the way you play to be followed over the person.’
Wright said: ‘You say what’s got to vary, to a certain extent.’
Neville then asked: ‘Can he change that?’
Wright replied: ‘Well at some stage… in the event you’ve got someone like Eze who plays with freedom. The goal that [Matheus] Cunha scored and even the goal from [Patrick] Dorgu, two great goals, they’re in positions where you’d prefer to see someone like Eze because he can do this.
‘He’s got to have the liberty to play and wander into these areas. In the intervening time it does feel a bit rigid for him.
‘For those who’re going to depart [Martin] Odegaard out and produce this Eze in who just isn’t free, doesn’t be at liberty… he’s [Arteta] said about enjoyment and letting them go.’
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