Arsenal have taken another step towards the Premier League title with a 3-2 win over AFC Bournemouth. However, some of their fans have identified a significant issue with Mikel Arteta’s handling of a key player during the game.
Some Fans Convinced Mikel Arteta Does Not Like Arsenal Star
Eberechi Eze was once again an unused substitute in the Premier League, making it the fourth league match in a row that he has not featured. The Englishman last played for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup win over his former side on December 23, 2025.
The $80 million signing has played just 917 minutes in the league, scoring four goals and assisting twice. He also has one goal in three Carabao Cup matches, during which they reached the semifinals.
However, since the return of Martin Ødegaard, Eze has not been given enough chances on the pitch, and fans are starting to formulate conspiracy theories. Some believe that the manager has ‘something against’ the player, while others claim that he was being punished for a mistake.
One fan was in disbelief that a player as talented as Eze was not getting chances and posted on their X account: “Eze still can’t get any minutes in this Arsenal team 💔 hasn’t he been punished enough?”
Eze still can’t get any minutes in this Arsenal team 💔 hasn’t he been punished enough? pic.twitter.com/YUwxQiESCD
— Septimus Prime (@septimusajprime) January 3, 2026
Another fan joked that the 27-year-old was going to be released by the club once again, after he was let go during his teenage years. “Eze gonna become first player to get released by Arsenal twice.”
Eze gonna become first player to get released by Arsenal twice pic.twitter.com/vWJlj6zSak
— ﹒ (@aroyagain) January 3, 2026
Meanwhile, one Gooner was lost for words and was looking for answers after Eze remained on the bench throughout the game and posted: “Eze deadass going to have 0 minutes 4 games in a row…£65 million”
Eze deadass going to have 0 minutes 4 games in a row…£65 million
— D (@EideballHater99) January 3, 2026
One fan was convinced that Arteta has something against the Englishman, as the cleansheets have dried up and posted:
“Arteta has something against him. He made a mistake against Villa but so have many other players, the clean sheets have dried up so he can’t be the only one punished for making a mistake.”
Arteta has something against him. He made a mistake against Villa but so have many other players, the clean sheets have dried up so he can’t be the only one punished for making a mistake.
— Mr. Moegi (@MoegiMr) January 3, 2026
Eze was on the verge of joining Tottneham in the summer, before he made a call to Arteta with just hours left for his medical. Spurs had a deal agreed with Crystal Palace and the player, but the Gunners hijacked it after the phone call.
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Arteta was asked if the rumors of the call were true, and the Gunners manager confirmed it in his press conference in August 2025 and said:
“That shows you how much he wanted to come. It’s very different sometimes because you want to be very open and transparent with the players as they have to make decisions in their careers but I’m delighted to have him. I’m delighted to have him, I can tell how much it means to him and his whole family.”
