Eberechi Eze was substituted at half-time in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford after a quiet first half. The decision raises further questions about the £67.5m signing, who has struggled to make an impact when given the opportunity.

The Gunners were locked in a tight Premier League match that saw both sides cancel each other out.

Eze Eberechi started in midfield but struggled to influence the game as Arsenal lacked control in key areas. His performance prompted Mikel Arteta to make a change at half-time, with the introduction of Martin Odegaard adding more creativity and composure.

After Arsenal’s game against Brentford, Arteta spoke to TNT Sports about the substitutions, explaining his reasoning and the factors that influenced the decision.

The 27-year-old, making his first Premier League start in two months, struggled to express his style and Odegaard’s introduction helped Arsenal take the lead shortly after coming on. However, Brentford responded quickly to level the scores and Arsenal ended up with a draw.

Eberechi has continued a trend of inconsistent performances since his move from Crystal Palace in August. The midfielder has scored five goals and provided two assists so far, but his main impact came in November’s north London derby, when he scored a memorable hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur. His form has dipped since then, raising questions about his ability to regularly make the difference for Arsenal.

Arteta discusses halftime changes

The Arsenal boss explained that the substitution was purely a tactical decision. He believes the team needs to take a different approach to dealing with Brentford’s pressure.

He said: “Yes, it was a tactical choice. We needed a different lineup because of the way they pressed and we started the second half much better.”

After the break, Arsenal looked more purposeful and their possession of the ball improved. The change aims to give the team more balance in midfield, with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka coming on to help them dominate Arsenal’s game against Brentford more effectively.

Martin Odegaard receives treatment for Arsenal’s game against Brentford

Arsenal received a worrying injury update on Martin Odegaard ahead of their 1-1 draw with Brentford in the Premier League on Thursday.

The Gunners dropped a vital two points in the Premier League title race and Manchester City took advantage of the result. Arsenal initially took the lead through Noni Maduk, but Keane-Lewis Porter soon leveled Brentford’s game.

Before the game, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had all recovered from minor injuries and entered the squad, with Trossard even starting. Odegaard came on at half-time to replace Eberechi Eze, who had struggled in the first half.

Unfortunately, he soon suffered a painful knee strike while trying to stop Lewis Porter’s attack. He spent several minutes on the ground receiving treatment, leaving Arsenal fans worried about his health.

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Odegaard suffers from injury again

Odegaard managed a successful start for Arsenal against Brentford but struggled to make an impact after his early impact following a substitution.

He has suffered four different injuries so far this season, making it a difficult season for him. Earlier this season, he was even substituted in the first half of three consecutive Premier League games.

Odegaard scored 1 goal and provided 6 assists in 26 games. He has only started 2 Champions League games and 13 Premier League games.

He seems unlikely to feature in Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic and his inclusion in the north London derby on February 22 may also be in doubt.

Focus turns to title race and FA Cup

Even with the draw, Arsenal remain four points clear at the top of the Premier League. The title race remains tight and Arteta knows his players must be consistent to maintain their advantage.

“We have to give it our all in every game just like every other team. You also need a little bit of luck to win week in and week out,” he said.

Attention now turns to the FA Cup, with Arsenal taking on Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta will be hoping for a strong response after the draw at Brentford as the season continues to demand focus, discipline and smart decisions from the bench.

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Credit: imagery / sports image

Recording date: February 12, 2026