Mikel Arteta Says Eberechi Eze Must ‘Earn the Right to Play’

Mikel Arteta has insisted that Eberechi Eze must 'earn the right to play' at Arsenal, as competition for places in the Gunners' attack intensifies.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Lille, the Arsenal boss was asked about the England international's role, after Noni Madueke was preferred on the left wing in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Leeds United.

Arteta explained, 'Like everybody else you need to earn the right to play. His attitude has always been phenomenal and we also need to adapt to his qualities.'

Eze had been widely tipped by supporters to replace Christos Tzolis, who is expected to miss 'a few weeks' with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty. However, Arteta instead turned to Maduke, who he later claimed was the best player in Arsenal training in the ten days prior.

Madueke, who's signing from Chelsea was not received well by many Arsenal supporters, became the first player this season to record five accurate crosses in a single Premier League match.

Eze can also operate in a more central role, but Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice have cemented their places in midfield, leaving the 28-year-old competing for minutes across the front line.

He joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in August 2025 in a deal worth a reported £67.5 million including add-ons, completing a return to the club that released him from their academy as a teenager. The move came after Arsenal hijacked Tottenham Hotspur's attempts to sign him, with Kai Havertz's knee injury in pre-season accelerating their interest.

Eze quickly endeared himself to supporters, including hat-tricks in both of the north London derby fixtures last campaign, as he played his part in the club's first league title in 22 years.

He also scored the decisive goal against both Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at The Emirates, with both games being narrowly won by a single goal.

Before arriving in north London, he had established himself as one of the Premier League's most creative players, scoring the winner as Crystal Palace beat Manchester City to lift the FA Cup in May 2025, the club's first major trophy.

Only eight Arsenal players played more minutes than him in all competitions last season, with Eze featuring more than Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Ødegaard.

This season, however, he is yet to start a league game and has only played 235 minutes across all competitions.

With Tzolis sidelined and a congested fixture list ahead, opportunities are likely to arise for the Englishman. Arsenal host Lille on Tuesday night, before trips to Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich.