Rooney Questions Eze's Mentality Despite Tottenham Masterclass

Arsenal served up a statement victory on Sunday, thumping Tottenham 4-1 at their own stadium to leave the hosts staring at uncomfortable questions about their Premier League credentials. Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze each bagged a brace in what marked Igor Tudor's first outing as interim manager following Thomas Frank's departure earlier this month.

Yet while Eze's performance caught the eye—particularly given he's now notched five of his six Premier League goals this season against Spurs, adding to his previous hat-trick at the Emirates—Wayne Rooney has used the occasion to take aim at the playmaker's broader contribution.

The Manchester United legend pushed back on suggestions that Eze's mentality and character were exemplary, arguing instead that the £60m arrival from Crystal Palace has simply not delivered the standard Arsenal expected when they brought him in over the summer.

"I disagree a bit because I don't think he's been good enough this season," Rooney declared on his BBC podcast. "The two Tottenham games have shined a big light on him but in other games I've watched him and not thought he's been good enough."

Rooney acknowledged that inconsistent game time may have played a part, but stressed that elite players must make themselves impossible to drop through both displays and training-ground application. "If I was him I would be trying to make it very difficult for the manager to leave me out," he explained. "Clearly he's not doing enough to warrant a place in the team consistently."

The veteran pundit recognised Martin Odegaard's status as captain, but suggested Eze needed to raise his game substantially to force Mikel Arteta's hand on a permanent basis. "You've got to make it almost impossible for Mikel Arteta to leave you out," Rooney insisted.

His assessment extends to international football, where Rooney harbours doubts about whether Eze will secure World Cup selection this summer. Still, he acknowledged the midfielder offers something different operationally, capable of playing across the left or in the number ten role—assets that could prove valuable on the tournament stage.

"Maybe that will be on Eze's side because those players are so important at a World Cup," Rooney noted. "In terms of at Arsenal I think Eze is better in the penalty box but Odegaard is better when he's a bit deeper."

Rooney praised Eze's intelligence and movement, yet the underlying message remained consistent: more is required in the final third if he is to fulfil the promise that justified his substantial summer investment. "If you could combine the two of them you'd have a great player," Rooney concluded, hinting at what Arsenal might yet achieve if Eze can find greater consistency.