“Changed Dramatically” — Mikel Arteta Reveals What Has Transformed Eberechi Eze at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has insisted Eberechi Eze is finally beginning to show the player Arsenal believed they were signing, after admitting the forward has changed “dramatically” for the better during a challenging first season at the Emirates.

Eze’s move to Arsenal last summer was one of the biggest stories of the transfer window. The England international rejected strong interest from Tottenham to complete a £67.5million switch from Crystal Palace, with the Gunners convinced he could add flair, goals and unpredictability to their attack. But while expectations were high, the reality of his debut campaign has been far from straightforward.

For long spells, Eze struggled to make a real impact in the Premier League. He found it difficult to settle into Arsenal’s highly structured system and, at times, looked short of confidence. The numbers told a worrying story. Between November and late February, Eze failed to register a single shot on target in the league, an astonishing statistic for a player brought in to be a game-changer.

Yet in a twist that has defined his strange season, Eze has come alive against Arsenal’s biggest rivals. He has now scored five goals in just two matches against Tottenham, delivering performances that suggest his huge talent is finally being unlocked.

The first came in November, when Eze lit up the Emirates Stadium with a stunning hat-trick in the north London derby. It was a performance full of confidence, sharp movement and ruthless finishing, offering a glimpse of why Arsenal were prepared to invest so heavily in him. After that match, many believed it would be the turning point.

Instead, Eze slipped back into inconsistency. Opportunities came and went, roles changed, and the goals dried up. That is why his latest display against Spurs, a brace in Arsenal’s emphatic 4-1 win away from home last weekend, felt so significant. It was not just the goals, but the authority of his performance, that caught the eye.

Arteta believes the breakthrough has been building quietly behind the scenes.

“To understand him, you have to understand how he connects with other players,” the Arsenal manager explained ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea. “What are the best connections that we can build in and around him, the spaces he’s more comfortable to use.

“There are certain behaviours he’s changed dramatically into really positive things. At the end, you don’t know if you’re going to see them in a week, or two, or in a month. But they’re coming.”

Those comments offer insight into why Eze’s adaptation has taken time. Arsenal’s style relies heavily on relationships between players, intelligent movement and quick decision-making in tight spaces. Unlike at Crystal Palace, where Eze was often given freedom to roam and express himself, Arsenal demand precision and discipline alongside creativity.

Arteta has not been afraid to tweak Eze’s role, using him in different positions across the attacking line. At times, that flexibility appeared to unsettle the player, but the Arsenal boss insists Eze’s attitude has never wavered.

Speaking after the derby win, Arteta suggested he was “starting to understand how to get the best out of him”, a comment he later reflected on with characteristic honesty.

“I think so, I might be wrong,” Arteta said with a smile. “You see how players react in relation to certain decisions that you take. When they have better games, when they have certain difficulties.

“His role has been modified a few times throughout the season and his reaction has always been top, but it’s tough to perform after, which is what we need.”

That mental strength may prove crucial in the final months of the campaign. Arsenal remain firmly in the title race and will need players capable of deciding big matches. Arteta made it clear that is exactly why Eze was signed.

“He’s been exceptional in the manner he’s behaving every single day,” Arteta added. “But what we need is that those manners are transformed into huge performances that decide football matches. That’s the reason we bought him.”

The signs are now encouraging. Eze looks sharper, more confident and more decisive in the final third. His movement between the lines has improved, and his understanding with teammates is clearly growing. Crucially, he is starting to trust his instincts again, rather than overthinking his actions.

Arsenal fans have been patient, recognising that adapting to a new club, new expectations and a new tactical system takes time. But with five goals in his last two appearances against Tottenham, Eze has reminded everyone of his match-winning quality.

If Arteta’s belief proves right, and this is the moment Eze truly clicks into place, Arsenal could yet reap the rewards of their big summer gamble. With Chelsea visiting the Emirates and the title race tightening, the timing could hardly be better for Eze to finally turn promise into consistency.