Arsenal’s stunning decision to sign Eberechi Eze from arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur is a brutal statement of intent, demonstrating that this is the season they can finally win the big prizes.
Spurs were preparing to welcome Crystal Palace’s England attacker on Wednesday, with all indications that a deal for the 27-year-old was nearly complete.
It was later revealed that Arsenal were assessing the severity of forward Kai Havertz’s knee injury, which could potentially deplete their attacking resources – a weakness that contributed significantly to manager Mikel Arteta’s side finishing empty-handed for the fifth year in a row last season.
Instead of adopting the cheaper option of exploring the loan market, as was initially thought, Arsenal went for broke in spectacular fashion by orchestrating a £60 million coup to bring Eze to Emirates Stadium.
Eze’s move to Arsenal is more than just a psychological blow to Tottenham.
It is a clear indication that the Gunners have no intention of falling short of their stated goal of mounting a genuine Premier League title campaign as well as progressing further in the Champions League after reaching the semi-finals last season.
It is a plan that contrasts sharply with Arsenal’s slowness last season, when their refusal to fix an obvious problem – buying a recognised striker – proved costly.
Spurs felt they had Eze wrapped up, with the potential of a cash-plus-Richarlison deal being mooted, but Arsenal moved quickly when they realised Havertz could be out for a while.
Arsenal had been connected with Eze all summer, but their interest appeared to have cooled after Ethan Nwaneri agreed to a new five-year contract, as well as signing Chelsea winger Noni Madueke for £48.5 million.
Arsenal’s ruthless Eze coup shows intent – leaving Spurs stunned
Havertz’s injury, and the possible ramifications, rekindled that desire, leaving Spurs startled.
Kai Havertz’s knee injury appears to have triggered Arsenal’s shocking late bid for Eberechi Eze.
Arteta understands that this is the season to grab a major prize, and he has received strong support from Arsenal’s administration.
In addition to Madueke, the Gunners have agreed to sign Spain’s great midfielder Martin Zubimendi for up to £60 million and, at least a year later, a noted striker in Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting for £64 million.
Eze, who had two years left on his Palace deal, will provide Arsenal with a dynamic attacker with natural skill who can win games, as he demonstrated when scoring the winning goal against Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May.
This was a follow-up to the magnificent right-foot finish that helped Palace defeat Aston Villa 3-0 at Wembley Stadium in the semi-finals.
Eze also scored the opening goal for the Eagles in their 3-0 quarter-final victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Eze established that he has the attitude and aptitude for the big occasion by leading Palace to their first major title in history.
Arsenal will hope he has many more opportunities like this in the future.
He is a scorer and creator who will provide a significant danger to Arsenal’s front line, having scored 14 goals and assisted 11 times in all competitions last season.
Eze grew up an Arsenal fan and attended the club’s academy till the age of 13.
He may have been interested in a move to Spurs at first, but after the Gunners showed their hand, there was only one place he wanted to go in north London.
He worked his way up to Queens Park Rangers, having previously played for Fulham, Reading, and Millwall. He departed Loftus Road for Palace in August 2020 for a fee of £19.5 million.
Spurs think they done everything they could to complete a deal – except for actually doing so – but it is a blow to chairman Daniel Levy and manager Thomas Frank, who also thought they had a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White in the works only for him to accept a new contract with Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal will enjoy the local rivalry of snatching away one of Tottenham’s top targets, but the bigger picture shows the Gunners are dead serious about ending a wait for success that now dates back to 2020.
Eze had admitted to “crying for a week” after being released by Arsenal in 2011, but the skilled forward has now been handed a wonderful opportunity to make up for lost time.