Shearer Questions Eze's Arsenal Struggles as Gunners Stumble Against Brentford

Alan Shearer has waded into Arsenal's ongoing struggles with Eberechi Eze, declaring that the Gunners appeared more threatening once the £67.5m Crystal Palace recruit was withdrawn at half-time during last week's frustrating encounter with Brentford.

The match at the Gtech Community Stadium ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Keane Lewis-Potter's leveller cancelling out Noni Madueke's early opener. The draw means Manchester City have trimmed Arsenal's lead atop the Premier League table to just four points, with 12 fixtures still to play.

For Mikel Arteta's side, there remains the tantalising prospect of a historic Quadruple, having already secured passage to the League Cup final, Champions League last-16, and FA Cup fifth round.

Eze's impact since arriving from Selhurst Park has fallen short of expectations, and Shearer was particularly scathing about his showing against the Bees. The former Newcastle striker suggested the England international appeared uncomfortable throughout, and that substituting him at the interval actually improved Arsenal's attacking threat.

"The way he performed against Brentford was surprising," Shearer told Betfair. "He looked completely out of his depth in that match. When Arteta hauled him off at the break, the team suddenly found another level. They cranked up the pressure on Brentford and eventually got their equaliser. That tells you something."

Shearer continued with his critique, reminding listeners of Eze's hat-trick heroics in the north London derby and his initial promise upon joining the Gunners.

"Here's a lad who absolutely terrorised Spurs, who waltzed into the Emirates looking like he belonged there from day one, full of swagger and confidence," Shearer explained. "But against Brentford? He looked as though he wanted the ground to open up beneath him. Genuinely uncomfortable, struggling to find his rhythm."

The former striker also raised concerns about Eze's England prospects, suggesting his lack of consistent playing time could prove costly.

"If he's not getting regular starts, he won't be in the England squad. Simple as that," Shearer stated. "His first real outing since mid-December, and he's hardly featured since then. That needs to change quickly if he wants to remain in Gareth's thinking."

When pressed on his decision to substitute Eze, Arteta pointed to tactical requirements. "The way Brentford were pressing meant we needed a different profile to create problems in those areas," the Arsenal boss explained. "When he came on, the team had another gear and posed more threat in the areas we wanted to attack."

On Eze's broader adjustment to life at Arsenal, Arteta struck a more sympathetic tone. "Moving clubs is never straightforward, and when you're up against a side like Brentford who keep the ball off the ground, it's particularly demanding for attacking and creative players. He's had moments, but it takes time to settle."