Eberechi Eze should’ve been careful what he wished for. The boyhood Arsenal fan’s eyes must’ve lit up with delight when he discovered the Gunners were willing to hijack Tottenham’s move for him late in the transfer window. But fast forward eight months, was it really worth it?

It would’ve felt so just after the full-time whistle went in November’s north London derby, when Eze netted a hat-trick in the 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium. Since then though, it would appear the playmaker has been an afterthought in Mikel Arteta’s plans, with minutes, let alone goals, having been hard to come by.

That all came to fruition on Thursday night, when Arteta, in need of a goal, dragged Eze off at the break. The English international had been granted a starting berth for the first time since mid-December, but struggled to make an impact during a dour first half.

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It was a far cry from...