Eberechi Eze: Arsenal striker comes up with important goals again because he ‘proves something’

It has been a difficult period for Eze, who has found it difficult to get minutes in the league and this was his second league start since December.

He has a tough road in the team with skipper Martin Odegaard a key part of Arteta’s first-choice midfield when fit and Leandro Trossard in fine form on the left wing, another position where Eze could excel.

The Arsenal manager trialled Eze on the left flank, but he was dropped when Matty Cash scored Aston Villa’s opener in a 2-1 defeat in December, and although he started the next game, he remained on the bench for the next four league games.

Arteta opted to play England winger Bukayo Saka from the start in the disappointing 2-2 draw with Wolves in midweek as the number 10 – ahead of Eze, who started on the bench.

The Spaniard admitted: “He was upset, even with me, because I had not played with him for a few days from the start, and some of the decisions I made. And I have to understand how we are going to get the best out of him now.”

BBC Sport asked Arteta if Eze’s record of producing goals at the end of the season was one of the reasons for signing him.

“We looked at all the statistics, but quite frankly, no,” he added with a laugh.

“He has scored five goals in the last few games against them, which is very difficult. But I can see that he wants to prove something.”

England coach Thomas Tuchel was on hand at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Eze was hoping to catch his eye after a recent lack of playing time to boost his World Cup hopes this summer.

“It worked out today, thank God for that,” Eze told Sky Sports. “We performed well. We did what we had to do, which is the main thing.

“I’m always trying to get into those positions to be ready and to find space and to work hard to get those opportunities. It takes a lot to get there and it worked today.”