Eberechi Eze, an attacking midfielder, says he is enjoying the high-intensity atmosphere at the Emirates and is still totally focused on winning trophies, six months after making a high-profile return to his boyhood club, Arsenal, from Crystal Palace.
Shortly after scoring the game-winning goal for Palace in the 2025 FA Cup final, the 27-year-old, who left Arsenal’s academy at the age of 13, made a late-summer transfer return. With his first Arsenal goal in a Carabao Cup victory over Port Vale, his Premier League goal against former club Palace, and his iconic hat-trick in a 4-1 north London derby victory over Tottenham—the first player to claim the match ball in the fixture in almost 50 years—he has since emerged as a major player under manager Mikel Arteta.
Eze discussed his smooth absorption, the higher tactical demands, and his fondness for the unrelenting fixture schedule in an exclusive interview with the team.
Regarding his first half-season, Eze remarked, “It’s been really good.” Playing with big players and being a part of a squad with so much depth has meant a ton of learning and improvement. I’ve found it to be a terrific challenge and something I definitely needed for my profession.
He cited the extent of pre-match preparation and analysis as the largest change. The meticulous video work has enabled him to “see the game through a different lens” and improve his on-pitch decision-making. “There’s a lot of detail that goes into how we approach a game… it’s definitely something that’s necessary but maybe took a bit of time to adjust to,” he said.
Eze maintains that he is in rhythm both intellectually and physically despite having played 32 games thus far, including matches in Europe. “I think it’s great. “The fun part of football is just being in the rhythm of always playing games and always competing,” he remarked. He described the necessity to “stay locked in for a full season, when every game matters,” acknowledging that the mental demands are more difficult than the physical ones, but he sees it as the price he must pay to succeed.
Eze also discussed striking a balance between team duties and individual inventiveness. He said, “I think I can offer something different to the other players on the team, but the most important thing is that it merges and connects with the relationships around you.” He attributed his ability to block out outside distractions and concentrate on his own goals to early lessons learned in the academy and during his time at QPR, where he was under relegation pressure.
The midfield player talked about how excited he is for important events, like as the forthcoming North London derbies and the Carabao Cup final return to Wembley. “Man, I adore it. He remarked, “You play football for these moments, for these high-pressure games. This is exactly where I want to be.” “I see nerves as my body preparing me for the moment… that’s what makes it special,” he says, expressing a positive outlook on nerves.
Eze stays grounded as Arsenal pursues several trophies; his wife, an intensive care unit nurse, frequently reminds him of the demands of the real world. He chuckled, “I get a reality check when I’m thinking about X, Y, and Z when I get home. It just humbles you.”
Eze’s message is obvious as the season heats up: he is totally dedicated to the team’s objective. “The next game is always the main focus,” he said.
