Eberechi Eze clip highlights major Arsenal problem Mikel Arteta needs to address - 'Be better'

Arsenal got their Champions League campaign up and running with a 2-0 win over Athletic Club thanks to goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Mikel Arteta needed to call on those on the bench to help change the game, with some of the Gunners' new arrivals struggling from the off. The old guard came on to win the game for the Gunners, an important tactical change from the Arsenal boss.

Eberechi Eze was one of those to struggle against Athletic Club, a surprise given how impressive he was against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

However, a clip on social media highlights a major issue Arteta will need to iron out in the coming weeks if he wants to get the best out of the England international.

It's fair to say the game didn't suit Eze, who looked to come inside and operate in the space behind Athletic Club's midfield and in front of the defence. Arsenal boss Arteta can be seen shouting at the Gunners' playmaker to stay out wide, with Riccardo Calafiori already coming inside to operate in the number ten position.

Eze is one of the best players in the Premier League when he can operate in the space in between the lines, but on this occasion, midway through the first half, Arteta was right to tell him to stay out wide.

The ball comes out to the England international, vindicating Arteta's instructions. Some fans on social media were critical of the instructions from the Arsenal boss, highlighting just how influential Eze can be operating in the number ten.

And there lies Arteta's tactical conundrum. Calafiori had already come inside on this occasion and the Italian international has impressed so far this season with his forward runs and defensive work.

However, with one player shining and the other struggling, Arteta knows he has to find a balance to get the best out of both players down the left, rather than limiting Eze's effectiveness going forward. If the game plan was to keep width, then Martinelli was the player best suited for that role - as his goal and assist backs up.

"Martinelli did more in five minutes than Eze did in 70 minutes," Steve McManaman said on TNT Sports. "Eze will watch that performance tonight when he goes back and say ‘this is a different class of opposition’.

"They’re quicker, stronger than he faced in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, and he knows his level will have to jump up. You’re now playing big boy football in the Champions League. If you want to compete, you have to be quicker, you have to be better than he showed tonight."

There's some truth in the message from McManaman but also the caveat that it's early on in the season and Eze will still be getting accustomed to his new teammates and way of playing.

Arteta also needs to make sure he's getting the best out of the 27-year-old and play him in a position where he can influence the game effectively.

The Gunners boss has much more strength in depth compared to last season and having the ability to use players off the bench to change games, is a welcome addition this season. Much like Eze will need time to adjust, so will Arteta in finding out how best to utilise his new stars.

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