Oliver Glasner makes remarkable Eberechi Eze transfer statement as Arsenal announcement imminent

Oliver Glasner is said to have confirmed that Eberechi Eze will not play for Crystal Palace in the first leg of their Conference League play-off round tie against Fredrikstad.

football.london understood before Glasner arrived at Selhurst Park on Thursday evening that Eze was unlikely to feature against the Norwegian Cup winners. All parties discussed his involvement earlier in the day.

Arsenal were keen for Palace not to risk the 27-year-old with a deal in place. Eze played in their first match of the Premier League season versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge despite a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur then appearing imminent.

Palace got their way on Sunday, but the latest decision has seemingly gone in Arsenal’s favour. Sky Sports reporter Gary Cotterill has provided an update on the situation from SE25.

“The players behind me are parking their cars; they arrive separately for games at Crystal Palace, making their way past the fans into the stadium,” Cotterill said on Sky Sports News while standing in front of Selhurst Park. “Eze isn’t among them.

“Oliver Glasner’s also arrived the same way, signing autographs for fans. A couple of fans asked him whether or not Eze is playing tonight, and from his mouth, he said, ‘No, he will not be playing tonight.’ And when he was asked whether he’ll be here to say goodbye to the fans he loves so much, he said, ‘I don’t even know if he’s going to be here’.

Cotterill then concluded: “That move to Arsenal does seem like it’s nearing completion. Maybe he’s off elsewhere to prepare for a medical, and maybe to do the medical even tonight.”

The journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday morning that Arsenal have booked a medical for Friday, noting that it would be after Palace’s match. However, it now appears Eze will be absent.