In what turned out to be one of the vital dramatic signings of the European soccer switch window, Arsenal pulled off a late hijack by touchdown Crystal Palace and English star Eberechi Eze, when it appeared like their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur had all however sealed the deal. Eze, who was within the Arsenal academy rising up, is a long-time fan of the Gunners and idolised Thierry Henry rising up. And he was left speechless by a shock video message from the legendary Arsenal striker. In an interview for Arsenal’s official web site, one other membership legend Ian Wright confirmed the video recording from Henry to Eze.
“At first, welcome to the Arsenal,” Henry is seen telling Eze. “You don’t perceive how joyful all of us are. Everyone knows how a lot you needed to play for The Arsenal, and put on the cannon on the Emirates. There you go – it’s not a dream anymore, it’s not a utopia. That has develop into actuality. Just remember to make it depend.”
“Keep in mind, once I first arrived on the Arsenal, they advised me that it’s a membership that has class, it’s a household membership, and you bought to battle it doesn’t matter what. All the perfect, I’m so joyful. Come on The Arsenal!”
💬 “It’s not a dream anymore, it’s not a utopia. That has develop into actuality.” @IanWright0 surprises Ebere with a private message from an Arsenal icon 👀
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 24, 2025
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Eze, who was all smiles as he applauded the Emirates Stadium trustworthy throughout his unveiling on Saturday earlier than Arsenal’s dwelling match in opposition to Leeds, stated he didn’t . “He’s acquired a statue exterior, bro. what? While you use phrases, you possibly can spoil one thing. I’m telling you, this for me, it’s the sensation. I can attempt to clarify it, however it’s the sensation, man. That is highly effective.”
Eze joined from Crystal Palace on Saturday for a reported preliminary charge of 60 million kilos ($80 million). That took Arsenal’s spending on this summer season switch window to round 250 million kilos ($335 million), second solely to Liverpool throughout the entire of European soccer.
For the 27-year-old Eze, it marks a return to the membership the place he spent some years as a youth-team participant being being launched on the age of 13. Followers chanted “certainly one of our personal” and gave Eze a standing ovation when he walked out onto the sphere earlier than kickoff at Arsenal’s Premier League dwelling match in opposition to Leeds, carrying his new workforce jersey with the No. 10 on the again and blowing kisses to the gang. The transfer had been confirmed solely minutes earlier than kickoff.
“His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are precisely what we would like in our workforce, and we love how a lot it means to him and his household to be becoming a member of our membership,” Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta stated. “All of us sit up for begin working with Eberechi quickly.” Eze began his skilled profession at second-tier Queens Park Rangers earlier than shifting to Palace in 2020, the place he grew to become one of the vital thrilling attacking midfielders within the league and a daily within the England squad.
Final season, Eze scored the profitable objective within the FA Cup last as Palace beat Manchester Metropolis 1-0 to qualify for European competitors for the primary time. Palace performed its first ever European fixture on Thursday — a Convention League playoff in opposition to Fredrikstad of Norway — however Eze didn’t play in it so he might full his transfer to Arsenal.
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Tottenham, which has misplaced attacking midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski to long-term accidents, reportedly was in talks with Eze however he has picked Arsenal, the place there may be extra competitors however a higher likelihood of profitable the most important trophies within the sport.
Eze is more likely to compete with Gabriel Martinelli for a spot on the left wing, whereas he may also play as one of many No. 8s in central midfield. Arsenal will hope the addition of Eze, together with these of holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi, striker Viktor Gyokeres and winger Noni Madueke, could be the distinction within the Premier League title race this season after three straight runner-up finishes.
Arsenal can even be one of many favorites within the Champions League, having reached the semifinals final season. Eze has by no means performed in Europe’s high competitors
(With AP inputs)
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