Moyes pinpoints the unexpected weakness Everton’s star player must address following his performance against Declan Rice

Everton faced Arsenal in a competitive match that concluded with a 1-0 defeat for the home side. A penalty conversion proved decisive, though Everton felt they had legitimate claims for their own spot-kick when an incident involving William Saliba and Thierno Barry went unpunished inside the box.

Tim Iroegbunam received his opportunity in midfield after Idrissa Gueye became unavailable due to AFCON commitments. The 22-year-old midfielder was tasked with filling significant shoes, as Gueye has established himself as a dependable presence since rejoining the club in 2022. Despite the challenging circumstances, Iroegbunam delivered a noteworthy performance against one of England’s strongest sides.

Manager David Moyes acknowledged the quality of Iroegbunam’s contribution, particularly his defensive work. The midfielder matched up well against Declan Rice in a demanding tactical battle. Moyes noted that Iroegbunam demonstrated commitment and defensive discipline throughout the encounter, establishing himself as among Everton’s most influential performers that evening.

However, Moyes identified scope for development in Iroegbunam’s overall game. The manager wants more forward-thinking passes and creative involvement from the young midfielder. While acknowledging his strong defensive contributions, Moyes emphasized that Iroegbunam could elevate his impact by adding a more progressive dimension to his play and taking greater initiative in building attacking moves.

With Gueye sidelined and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall managing injury concerns, Iroegbunam faces an important period to demonstrate sustained quality. His performance statistics against Arsenal—seven tackles, 73 percent ground duel success rate, and twelve defensive actions—suggest capability at this level. Future opportunities await, and how he performs in these matches could significantly influence his standing within Everton’s midfield hierarchy moving forward.