Football Insider reports that Mikel Arteta now face a clear decision on where Eberechi Eze fits in his Arsenal side, and the discussion became sharper after Martin Odegaard returned to the starting line-up.

The issue has come into focus because Mick Brown, the former Man United and Blackburn chief scout, suggested that Arteta must settle on his first-choice attacking midfielder, and his remarks have added weight to an argument that has followed Eze since July.

Moreover, Saturday’s defeat at Aston Villa intensified this debate, as Eze moved to the left wing to make room for Odegaard and produced a display that did little to help his case.

He struggled from the opening whistle, and his mistake for Matty Cash’s opener dragged the Gunners into immediate trouble, which invited scrutiny that grew once Arteta took him off at half-time. The performance brought back old concerns about his consistency and created wider talk about whether the club can rely on him in a fixed role.

Arsenal keep focusing on Eberechi Eze

Then Brown’s earlier warning resurfaced because he had said in the summer that doubts surrounded Eze’s move and whether he would offer enough across long stretches of a demanding season. He added to that point after the win against Spurs, saying that Eze needed to show more steady output under Arteta if he wanted to rise into the elite bracket.

His views came from a long career in recruitment at the highest level, and his tone suggested that the England international’s place in the team now sits under more pressure than at any stage since his arrival.

Furthermore, Brown pointed out that Eze looked more comfortable at Crystal Palace because he could drift into pockets where he felt free, while hard-working teammates balanced the structure around him.

He noted that Arsenal offered something similar when Eze played centrally, as Declan Rice and Zubimendi carried the load behind him and allowed him to focus on progressing attacks. However, Odegaard’s return pushed Arteta to adjust the unit, and Eze’s move to the flank has shown that he does not operate like a natural wide player.

Consequently, Arteta had to weigh the cost of putting Eze back in midfield, knowing that he offers limited defensive contribution, or keep using him in a role that restricts his influence.

Brown even raised the idea of using him as a flexible option, though he admitted that such a plan would not bring out his full ability. Arteta stood in front of a call he could not delay, and the evidence from Villa Park made the need for clarity feel urgent.

“There have been some questions about Eze in this Arsenal team.

“We spoke before this move happened about what his best position is, because at Palace he was allowed to be a bit of a free spirit and to drift around.

“Then, they had other players in the team who were prepared to work hard on the other side and get the ball to him in areas where he could pose a threat to the opposition.

“When he was in midfield for Arsenal, he had that to an extend, because Declan Rice and Zubimendi would do the dirty work and let him do his bit going forward.

“Now Odegaard has come back in, he’s been put out on the wing, but everybody knows Eze isn’t an out-and-out winger, that’s not his position.

“So there’s a huge call for Arteta to make, do you put Eze back into midfield and accept there are limitations to what he gives, or play him out of position?

“There’s even the option of him being somebody who fills in where he’s needed, and he can do that, but it’s not going to get the best out of him.

“It’s a difficult decision to make but the manager has to do something because questions are being asked after that defeat against Villa.”