3 weeks ago
18
Player chose Gunners
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One of the most engrossing transfer stories this summer has evolved around the future of England star Eberechi Eze. Arsenal had shown interest earlier in the summer, but it looked as though their North London rivals, Tottenham, were closing in on his signature after being willing to match Crystal Palace's demands. However, at the last minute, the Gunners came back in and hijacked the move, and this Saturday have swiftly confirmed the signing of the 27-year-old attacking midfielder. Eze arrives for an initial fee believed to be in the region of €69.3m, with a further €10m in potential add-ons.
“We are so pleased to have completed this deal to bring Eberechi to Arsenal," sporting director Andrea Barta said in a club statement. "Eberechi is a creative and explosive talent with huge technical quality – also a big-game player, with his experience at the international level with England also underlining his quality and character. There has been excellent teamwork across the club to make this transfer happen and we are very confident Eberechi will be an important addition to our squad as we continue to build for success.” Talks over the England international between Palace chairman Steve Parish and counterpart Daniel Levy had taken place in recent days, but Arsenal’s interest had remained. Spurs had the conditions of a deal agreed with Palace and the player, but will now need to move on to alternative targets, with the Emirates the player's new home. Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City had all been linked with Eze over the past 12 months.
Following Crystal Palace's FA Cup triumph in May, Eze said, "I want to win everything. Everything there is to win, for me to win, I want to win it. That's the mentality... it's always been the goal from the start." Although Palace's achievement was superb in lifting that trophy, it's the only major trophy the club has won in their entire history, and to be a serial winner, Eze will likely have to move on from the south London club. So why is the Palace midfielder wanted by so many top teams, and what will he to Arsenal's armoury?
Why Eberechi Eze is hot property
After making the move to Selhurst Park from QPR in 2020 for €17.8m, Eze has gradually asserted himself as one of the Premier League's best attacking midfielders. Injury issues have slightly halted his progress at times, but when fit, his ability to beat players and both score and create in the final third can't be matched by many other players in his position. Since Eze joined Palace in 2020, only six midfielders have provided more Premier League goal contributions than his total of 57. Not only have all of those above him played more games than Eze's 146, minus the exceptions of Kevin De Bruyne (133) and Cole Palmer (89), they have all been playing for teams that have scored more goals and mostly finished higher in the table.
Last term he had his most productive Premier League season with 16 goal contributions in 34 matches. Eze has also proven he is a man for the big occasion. He scored Palace's winning goal in the FA Cup final against Man City, and has also been on the scoresheet against Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool in the league in the last two seasons. The 27-year-old is a player who gets supporters out of their seats, and has a rare ability to find space in the tightest of areas. But where could he fit into this current Arsenal team following his move to the Emirates?
What could Eberechi Eze add to Arsenal?
The Gunners have had a busy window, having already signed midfielders Martín Zubimendi and Christian Nørgaard, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Valencia defender Christhian Mosquera, winger Noni Madueke, striker Viktor Gyökeres, and now Eze. So with all of these additions, plus the talent already at the north London club, just where might Eze fit in? His versatility could be the key to that enigma. Eze could feasibly play off the left-wing for Arsenal, as well as the no.8 or no.10 position. He could also provide cover for Bukayo Saka off of the right-wing. During his club career, he has played over 20 games in all of the following positions: left-winger, attacking-midfield, central-midfield, and left-midfield. Eze could just provide the depth to finally get Arsenal over the line to winning a trophy.
