Worse Than Eze: Arteta Must Drop 5/10 Arsenal Flop Who Lost 75% of His Duels
Arsenal’s ambitions at the very top of the Premier League demand ruthless standards, especially in big games where fine margins decide outcomes. Yet once again, Mikel Arteta has been left with a difficult selection dilemma after a deeply underwhelming individual performance that stood out for all the wrong reasons. While Eberechi Eze dazzled with composure, intelligence, and control, one Arsenal starter delivered a display that simply did not meet the required level — earning a harsh but fair 5/10 rating after losing a staggering 75% of his duels.
In a match that required physicality, awareness, and authority, this Arsenal player struggled badly. Duels are the foundation of Premier League football — win them, and you control territory, tempo, and confidence. Lose three out of every four, and you invite pressure, disrupt your own structure, and put teammates under unnecessary strain. That was precisely the story here. Time and again, he was brushed aside, second to loose balls, and hesitant in challenges, allowing the opposition to play through Arsenal far too easily.
What made the performance even more frustrating was the contrast. Eze, operating with freedom and bravery, consistently beat his man, resisted pressure, and made smart decisions in tight spaces. Where Eze thrived, Arsenal’s flop faded. His positioning was reactive rather than proactive, his body language passive, and his influence on the game minimal. For a side chasing titles, that simply isn’t acceptable.
Arteta has built his Arsenal on intensity, duel-winning midfielders and defenders, and players who dominate their zones. When one cog fails so badly, the entire system suffers. Arsenal lost control in key moments, transitions became chaotic, and the back line was exposed far more than it should have been. Statistics only confirmed what the eye test already showed — this was a performance well below the club’s standards.
Dropping a player is never about punishment alone; it’s about accountability and maintaining elite levels. Arsenal have depth, competition, and alternatives who are hungry, sharper, and more reliable in physical battles. Persisting with a player so clearly out of form sends the wrong message to the rest of the squad.
If Arsenal are serious about pushing Manchester City, winning trophies, and finally turning promise into silverware, Arteta must be decisive. Performances like this cannot be tolerated, no matter the name on the shirt. Based on this display, a spell on the bench feels not just justified — but necessary.
