Eberechi Eze’s biggest problem is abundantly obvious

Arsenal attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze has shown flashes of the brilliance, mostly against Tottenham Hotspur, that made him one of the Premier League’s best and most popular players at Crystal Palace, but, by and large, his first season at the Emirates has been an underwhelming one. He is a victim of trying to do too much and is mistaking himself as a focal point when he plays, taking too many touches.

Signed for nearly 70 million pounds from the Eagles after leading them to a historic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, Eze delivered a hat trick and then a brace in two 4-1 drubbings of Spurs in the North London Derby.

But as a whole, Eze has scored just one other goal this season for Arsenal in the Premier League at a time when his presence has been needed more due to continued injuries and inconsistencies befalling captain Martin Odegaard.

A natural No. 10 who can also play on the wings, Eze is at his best when he can have space and drive at the heart of defenses in position, feeling like he is the guy with the license to run at teams and make things happen, shooting from distance or springing people open with a through ball.

But Arsenal play differently than that. They are a team that likes to play compact, defending and controlling games in and out of possession, making the proceedings as ugly as possible for the opposition.

When they do have the ball, they like to use the width of the pitch and hold possession, keeping their shape with quick passes and interchanges. Eze can suit this style, but because he likes to have the ball at his feet, he often hurts himself and Arsenal by taking too many touches.

That is the big problem for Eze. He still thinks he is the guy like at Palace, so he hurts the timing of the team by holding the ball. The hero ball approach is not one Arsenal need – and not from Eze – and then beacuse the spaces are so much tighter on a team like Arsenal, he can’t impact the game, losing possession or simply the opportunity to score or assist.

What Arsenal need – and what he got against Tottenham – is to help him get into transition opportunities. And then in the games or times where that is not possible, tell him to let go of the ball for a pass or shot sooner than he thinks to keep the play moving, rather than getting dispossessed and killing all his momentum.