Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke of Arsenal were criticised by England manager Thomas Tuchel following the team’s 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday.
With a summer spending total just under £250 million, the Gunners were one of the Premier League’s largest spenders.
With the addition of players like Eze and Madueke to his team, manager Mikel Arteta has concentrated on expanding his offensive options.
Although both played for England in their victory over Andorra over the weekend, the Three Lions manager has expressed his displeasure with their individual performances.
After the win, Tuchel told reporters: “We didn’t take advantage of the few opportunities to speed up the game. It’s possible that [Eze] didn’t have the best day at number 10. He had excellent training. I had a little trouble making the decision. Noni’s last pass was not sufficiently clinical.
Whereas Eze played 78 minutes as an attacking midfielder before being replaced, Madueke played the entire game against Andorra from the right side of attack.
Ways Arteta Could Unlock the Best from Eze and Madueke
Concerns have been raised by Tuchel’s remarks over how Arteta could maximise their performance in the remaining months of 2025–2026.
Eze was primarily a left-winger for Crystal Palace, playing behind a central striker, but he was one of two supporting players.
Although Arteta has frequently urged his left-winger to stay wide, the Englishman might be assigned to the left flank for a portion of the game, which might limit his impact in the middle of the pitch.
The Arsenal manager might allow Eze to create from central areas if he instructed left-back Riccardo Calafiori to constantly overlap.
Even though Madueke can play a variety of positions, the Gunners have so far used him on the left, while his last team, Chelsea, had him play from the right.
Now that Eze has been signed, the forward will most likely be cut to a squad role, and the winger will probably fill in on both wings.
Can Arsenal Claim the 2025/26 Premier League Title?
Given that champions Liverpool spent almost £400 million during the summer transfer window, it is hard to argue that Arsenal can be considered the winners.
The Londoners’ lack of inventiveness and lack of a top striker, according to many fans and commentators, was the reason they lost to the Merseysiders the previous season.
Sporting Lisbon sold number nine Viktor Gyokeres, and Eze was one of the Premier League’s most potent strikers in 2024–2025.
Arteta won’t be able to claim that he was held back by a lack of money if he loses the title again, and his long-term future at the Emirates could have to be questioned.
