Former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has delivered a stark warning to current Gunners attacker Eberechi Eze, suggesting his summer transfer decision could cost him a starting role for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Rogers Seizes the Initiative for England
Merson believes the shirt for England's coveted number ten position is currently being worn by Aston Villa's in-form Morgan Rogers. The pundit made his comments following Rogers' impressive brace in Villa's victory over Manchester United last Sunday, a performance that has catapulted him into the World Cup conversation.
"As we talk today Morgan Rogers has got the shirt," Merson stated on Sky Sports. "It's his shirt today. All he can do is focus on the next game." He emphasised Rogers' advantage of being a guaranteed starter under Unai Emery at Villa Park, a luxury Eze does not currently enjoy at the Emirates.
Ex-England international Ashley Young concurred, noting, "If he keeps playing like this he's definitely going to be England's No. 10 at the World Cup." However, Young cautioned that form can be fickle, adding, "A lot can happen and maybe he will have a dip but right now he's got the shirt."
Eze's Arsenal Dilemma Explained
The core issue for Eberechi Eze is one of fierce competition for places. His preferred central attacking midfield role at Arsenal is the undisputed domain of captain Martin Odegaard. When the Norwegian is fit, Eze is forced to adapt, often playing a supplementary role or shifting out wide, which does not maximise his talents.
This tactical reality was highlighted last weekend when Mikel Arteta omitted Eze from the starting line-up for Arsenal's win over Everton. With Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard also in excellent form on the flanks, a place on the bench has become a more frequent prospect.
The situation raises intriguing questions about Eze's career path. Last summer, the player had a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur on the table. At Spurs, he would almost certainly have been the first-choice creative midfielder for much of this season, filling the void left by the injured James Maddison.
World Cup Consequences for Club Choices
While competing for major honours with Arsenal is unlikely to cause Eze regret from a purely sporting perspective, the decision carries significant weight for his international ambitions. England manager Thomas Tuchel will name his squad for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the USA, and potentially Mexico in just a few months' time.
Tuchel's selections will be heavily influenced by consistent performance and playing time at club level in the run-up to the tournament. Merson pointedly contrasted the situations, stating, "You look at Eze, he might not get back in the Arsenal team for a while, he might be in and out. Whereas Rogers will be first-choice at Villa."
The coming months now represent a critical period for Eze. To reclaim the initiative in the race for England's starting berth, he must find a way to impose himself consistently in an Arsenal side stacked with attacking talent, or risk watching the World Cup from the substitutes' bench.
