Arsenal fans are concerned by what Mikel Arteta is doing with ‘exciting’ star after Athletic Club clash

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Arsenal fans are continuing to learn about their new-look team, as several summer signings took to the pitch in their clash with Athletic Club in the Champions League.

The Gunners travelled to San Mames in search of their first points in matchday one of the league phase for this season’s competition.

Mikel Arteta’s side reached the Champions League semi-finals last campaign, but they have aims of going a couple of steps further this time around.

Arsenal got off to a tough start in the clash, as Athletic Club took control but created very few chances.

As things went on, the north London team grew into it, even though clear-cut chances were tough to come by.

A goal from Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal, before Leandro Trossard doubled the lead, but there were concerns about another forward in the team and how Mikel Arteta is using him.

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Arsenal fans worried about Eberechi Eze’s position after Athletic Club performance

Eberechi Eze’s dream move to Arsenal caught the attention, as he joined his boyhood club in a fairytale story.

With the formalities and introductions now over, it’s time for the England international to show everyone what he is capable of.

So far, there have been sparks from Eberechi Eze, such as his assist for Viktor Gyokeres against Nottingham Forest, but he has yet to show his very best.

That much was evident in a difficult display in Arsenal’s trip to Athletic Club, where the 27-year-old struggled at times.

The main concern for fans on social media was how Arteta was using him, positioning him on the left wing and expecting him to stay wide.

One supporter claimed: “Arteta screaming at Eze to stay on the touchline while Calafiori plays through the middle. It’s all backwards.”

Another added: “Eze is being Grealished,” referencing Jack Grealish’s struggles at Manchester City.

“Arteta screaming at Eze to stay wide and pass it back is hilarious man,” a fan said in frustration.

Another supporter referenced Grealish again, criticising the positioning of Eze in saying: “Eze getting chalk on his boots for a full 90’ is such a waste man, especially with no constant overlap. He’s a guy your team needs to be giving most your touches in attacking zones too—not just another cog to recycle the ball. Screams Grealish.”

“Yeah, I doubt this is how best we can play Eze,” one fan claimed. “He’s hardly involved in the build-up.”

Another stated: “Eze ain’t a LW, Arteta is turning him into City Grealish.”

It’s a potential problem that most feared when Eze made the move across from the freedom he had at Crystal Palace to the structured approach of Arsenal.

It could point towards an issue, despite Arteta promising something slightly different.

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Mikel Arteta labelled Eberechi Eze an “exciting” player when he joined Arsenal

It’s clear to everyone that Eze is an extremely talented player.

The star often played his best when given something of a free role at Crystal Palace, usually playing off the left but with freedom to drift inside and cause chaos.

There was an excitement about Eze, which Arteta addressed upon signing the creative playmaker.

Speaking to the official Arsenal website after the signing, the Arsenal boss said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal.

“He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game. What stands out just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked hard throughout his career to get where he is today. “

While Arteta noted that new dimension, there could be concerns that he is already pushing Eze into a box that he won’t fit into.

It remains to be seen how that could change in the coming weeks, not least with other forwards making an impression.