Walcott Questions Arteta’s Decision to Bench Eze Against Man City

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has admitted he was “a little bit disappointed” with Mikel Arteta’s decision to leave Eberechi Eze on the bench during the Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.

The highly anticipated clash saw Erling Haaland fire City ahead before Gabriel Martinelli struck late to salvage a point for Arsenal, leaving them in second place on the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Liverpool.

Speaking on the BBC, Walcott said:

“I’m a little bit disappointed not to see Eze in the Arsenal team. However, I think he [Eze] is going to have to get used to this new system at Arsenal and the amount of options they have.”

Opinion: A Bold Gamble or a Missed Opportunity?

Arteta’s call to bench Eze is one that divides opinion. On one hand, the Spaniard has shown great tactical flexibility this season, often favoring system over individuals. On the other, leaving out a creative spark like Eze in a high-stakes game against City feels like a missed opportunity to unsettle Guardiola’s defense.

For many fans, the prospect of Eze linking up with Martinelli and Bukayo Saka is mouthwatering. Yet, Arteta’s conservatism suggests he values patience and gradual adaptation over immediate flair. In the long run, this may help Eze grow into the system—but in the short term, it leaves supporters and legends like Walcott wondering what might have been.

As Arsenal prepare to face Port Vale in the EFL Cup on Thursday, all eyes will be on whether Eze finally gets the nod to showcase his creativity from the start.