Joining Arsenal is a dream for many soccer players, especially those from London, England. Some manage to achieve the dream, but it soon turns into a nightmare when you are unable to get the chances you want on the pitch.
Arsenal Star Told To Fight for His Place
Eberechi Eze was released by Arsenal at 15, and the Englishman was distraught. He worked hard to reach his peak and earned a transfer back to the Emirates after making a crucial phone call.
Crystal Palace had a deal in place with Tottenham, and the player had personal terms in place as well. However, he still wanted that move to the Gunners, and he made a last-ditch call to Arteta, who convinced his board to splash the cash on the midfielder.
The season started out well for Eze, even scoring a hat-trick against Tottenham, the side who were minutes away from signing him. But then had a poor performance against Aston Villa in early December, was taken off at halftime, and his minutes have been limited since.
He has played just four times in all competitions since, but Arsenal legend Sol Campbell wants him to keep working hard. The former defender has urged the Englishman to understand his role at the club and step up because one good performance does not cement his place in the starting XI at a big club, as it did at Crystal Palace. He told Sky Bet via GOAL:
“Eze will get his chance. He’s been outstanding at times, scored great goals and produced a fantastic hat-trick against Tottenham. But there’s a lot of guys who have been banging in goals, having amazing performances, making great saves and things like that. You’re not at Crystal Palace anymore, you’re at Arsenal, and it takes a little bit more to solidify your position. It’s not just score a hat-trick and start week in, week out.”
Campbell believes that Eze has not done enough to impress Arteta and disrupt the squad that has been in the making for years, adding:
“He’s got to carve his own position out of the Arsenal team – a squad that have been together for two, three years plus – and he’s got to find his way. Find his way in with the fans, in with the manager, and keep his pace. That competition breeds success. If he is playing unbelievable, scoring goals, being consistent week in, week out, and then Arteta takes him out – that’s a different story. But he’s got to earn his stripes, and he’s on the right path. He is a top player.”
Eze cannot head out on loan this season to another club in Europe as he played for Crystal Palace at the start of the season. FIFA rules prohibit players from playing for more than two clubs in a single season, but he can join leagues like the MLS or Brazilian Serie A, where the new season starts after Jan. 1.
