Arsenal have perfect Eberechi Eze welcome gift as Andrea Berta hijacks dream Tottenham transfer

Arsenal have the perfect welcoming gift for Eberechi Eze. The Crystal Palace star looked all-set to join Tottenham Hotspur before the Gunners swooped in, with Mikel Arteta eager to sign cover for Kai Havertz.

football.london understands that the Lilywhites had already agreed terms with the Eagles and Eze was ready to join Thomas Frank’s side. Crystal Palace wanted the 27-year-old attacking midfielder available for Thursday night’s clash against Fredrikstad FK in the first leg of their Conference League play-off, so a deal wasn’t finalised.

Then on Wednesday afternoon, Arsenal made a late approach – in the wake of Havertz’s injury – which he suffered during the 1-0 win over Manchester United at the weekend. It’s understood that the Gunners quickly agreed terms with the south Londoners, and they’re now in a race against time to wrap up a deal before Tottenham.

Fortunately for Arteta, Eze would rather join Arsenal over Spurs, having grown up as a supporter of the club.

While Andrea Berta looks to get a deal over the line, the Gunners boss will be working hard to ensure the England international is given a warm welcome.

If he hasn’t already, Eze could quickly become a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium. The playmaker could be given a historic shirt number: 10, previously worn by the likes of Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Paul Merson.

Eze donned the number 25 in his debut season for Crystal Palace before grabbing the number 10 a year later in 2021. The Englishman also wore the number 10 during his talismanic years at Queen’s Park Rangers.

When Eze burst on to the scene at Wycombe Wanderers with 2017/2018, he had the number 27, which is also currently available at Arsenal. Speaking to reporters ahead of Crystal Palace’s match against Fredrikstad, Oliver Glasner claimed that Eze remains ‘committed to the team’.

“Many of you were surprised he (Eze) and Marc [Guehi] started against Chelsea,” said the Eagles’ head coach on Wednesday. “You may be surprised they start tomorrow, but they are committed to the team.

“They will play a crucial part for as long as they’re here, they’re committed to the team. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace.”

Following the goalless draw to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend, Glasner insisted that Eze won’t down tools. The Austrian said: “Eberechi Eze, as much as I know has a contract with Crystal Palace, he’s a Crystal Palace player.

“He showed it today and as long as he is a Crystal Palace player and he performs like this, he will play for us and nobody has told me anything else. He was picked because he’s a Crystal Palace player and is a very good Crystal Palace player.

“He trained all week, so there was no reason not to pick him…”