Eberechi Eze's three-word verdict speaks volumes after Arsenal star dropped vs Man City

Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze is focusing on the future after he played a key role in rescuing a draw for his side against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Eyebrows were raised pre-match as Eze was dropped to the bench for the visit of City. And it soon became clear that the Gunners may have to call upon his services when Erling Haaland gave the visitors the early lead after slotting underneath David Raya.

At half time, with no sign of a breakthrough, Mikel Arteta turned to his bench and introduced Bukayo Saka and Eze to the game. Even then it seemed like the Gunners were still going to pull up just short until the final moments.

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The former Crystal Palace man produced a brilliant ball over the top for Gabriel Martinelli to control and chip Gianluigi Donnarumma to rescue a point. Reflecting on the result on social media post-match, Eze simply posted: "Keep moving forward," as the Gunners moved to within five points of leaders Liverpool.

While it may seem that Arsenal are content with the draw, their manager had other thoughts when asked at full time. "Regardless of the result I will say the same thing," Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I am extremely proud of the team and the players for the way we played and dominated this game against this Man City. From my side as a coach that requires compliments from my side as a coach.

"After that, very disappointed with the result. It is true that scoring at the end gives you a bit of emotion, a bit of a taste, but then I think the first thought for me was to win the game.

"Everybody will analyse the game in a different way. I think we did a lot of very good things very, very well in order to get the game to that state."

When asked about his half-time changes, Arteta added: "It was necessary, the one with Noni [Madueke] because of an injury, and for Ebs too because of the way they started to play and behave and where we could find the spaces. We believed that he could be the player to make the difference for us.

"Again, very happy with the finishers." Arsenal return to action in midweek when they face Port Vale in the Carabao Cup.