According to a report by London Evening Standard on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has warned Eberechi Eze that he must improve his performances to secure regular playing time at Arsenal following his difficult outing against Nottingham Forest.

The England international made his first Premier League start of the season on the left wing during Sunday’s encounter at the City Ground but was substituted at half-time. Noni Madueke replaced him and went on to score Arsenal’s winning goal.

After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta explained that he “wanted something else” from the position, highlighting the need for greater effectiveness on the left as his team searched for a breakthrough.

Cole has now shared his assessment of Eze’s situation, arguing that the £65 million signing must deliver stronger performances if he hopes to establish himself in Arteta’s starting lineup.

Speaking on the Dressing Room Podcast, Cole compared Eze’s situation with that of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who received patience last season despite struggling to maintain his usual standards.

“Odegaard got a lot of grace last year because of what he's done for the club in the past, but he wasn't at the levels,” Cole explained.

The former Chelsea midfielder added that Odegaard has returned to form this season, quickly demonstrating the quality required to compete for a starting place at a club with Arsenal’s ambitions.

Cole believes the intense competition within Arsenal’s squad means attacking midfielders must consistently perform at an exceptional level, particularly when competing for the number 10 position against talented teammates.

“If you're going to play number 10 for Arsenal, you've got to be doing it better than anyone else in the league, because they're there pushing each other,” he said.

Drawing on his own experience as a professional footballer, Cole urged Eze to remain composed, maintain high standards in training and take full advantage of every opportunity he receives.

“You need to keep your composure, keep going, keep training well. Then when you get the opportunity, do more,” Cole added.

Eze has previously been substituted at half-time, including during a match against Aston Villa last December. Following that incident, he had to wait two months before earning another Premier League start.

However, the 27-year-old recently scored his first goal of the season against Lille, demonstrating his attacking potential.

With Madueke competing for a place on the wing and Odegaard performing strongly, Eze will need to make the most of his future opportunities to convince Arteta that he deserves a regular role in the team.