Mikel Arteta has suggested Ebere Eze is in line for more opportunities in the coming months.
The 27-year-old has been an unused substitute in Arsenal’s last four league games.
Speaking last week, Arteta stressed that his summer signing has played more football at this stage of the season than ever before, and insisted he was on a “good track”.
Eze scored a hat-trick in the north London derby win over Tottenham back in November, and Arteta says he looks ready to show his top level between now and the end of the season.
“His level of desire has gone even higher,” Arteta said.
“The way he trains every day, the way he wants it, the way he wants to make everything that it takes to change my mind and give him more minutes. He’s been phenomenal and that’s not easy.
“It’s easy to expect it but with the level of players that we are talking, that’s not easy and I’m very confident that we’re going to see a great version of Ebz in the recent (coming) months.
“Ebz has been exceptional when he’s played and when he hasn’t played that much, and that’s a big quality that we have in the squad that we have to recognise because then the other players can fulfil their role and everybody is happy because the team is performing and winning.”
Eze has been used both as a left-winger and a number ten under Arteta, but asked whether he has a favoured position for him, the Gunners boss stressed that where he plays is more to do with the relationships with the players around him.
“It’s true that he’s always been more shifted to the left, whether he’s wide or in that pocket space,” Arteta explained.
“But as well, he has some great games with us playing in the right. He’s that intelligent, he’s that good as a footballer that he can occupy any space. I’m more driven to the side where he plays in relation to the players around him than his position basically.”