Patrick Vieira has questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to substitute Eberechi Eze during Arsenal’s defeat at Manchester City.
Eze was withdrawn with 16 minutes remaining of Arsenal’s 2-1 loss at the Etihad, despite the Gunners chasing an equaliser.
The England midfielder had been positive in the final third for the North Londoners and came closest to scoring in the second half, when his effort cannoned out off the inside of the post.
Arsenal failed to find a route back into the game, in a defeat with damages their Premier League title hopes.
Former Gunners captain Vieira has said he was ‘disappointed’ to see Eze brought off, at a time when Arsenal needed attacking inspiration.
“Eze didn’t stay on the left-hand side, he came inside and created the overload and that was, I think, the tactical plan. It was really interesting to see him in that position because he touched the ball a lot,” Viera said.
“I was a bit disappointed, to be honest, that he came off because I think he was getting into the game and he could create chances for scoring goals because he’s got that quality. Taking him off, I think I was disappointed to see him off.”
