I can’t believe I’m writing this but believe it or not, Eberechi Eze is on the verge of becoming a Gunner. Arsenal have done a madness!! I barely know where to start; the last 24hours have been too much to process! This is the most hyped I’ve been about an Arsenal transfer movement since… Sanchez? Ozil? I don’t even know.
Yesterday started with strange breaking news. A new contract for Leandro Trossard. Improved terms, but no extension to the duration on the existing deal. What? Yes, you read that right. It had a lot of fans, pundits, social media commentators all scratching their heads. Only last week he was on the way out the door. In truth, the Trossard saga over the last months probably has enough meat on the bones to demand it’s own article. But this is not that…
Then, yesterday afternoon it was reported by David Ornstein that our striker Kai Havertz was “set for a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury”. On the face of it, terrible news. I feel for the player, as I really love Kai. He brings so much to this team, and I’m devastated that the man now has to face another extended spell in rehab. James McNicholas of The Athletic has previously informed of how highly rated Kai is within the Arsenal camp, from coaches and players alike. His intelligence, if I’m recalling correctly, being a stand-out attribute. Get well soon, Kai, you will be dearly missed.
So, that put a heavy dampener on the day. Until…
Off I was, about my business in the evening when I happened to flick onto YouTube, and saw my man Harry Symeou gearing up to go live again. I thought “that’s cool, I don’t really get to catch the bonus episodes live”. Then I saw the headline.
Breaking news! Arsenal make Eberechi Eze move!
What? No, it can’t be… really? Don’t get too excited, AndrroidMafia, don’t let it get the better of you. I carried on my way and didn’t give it much more thought. I’m not that lucky. I’m never that lucky…
Two hours later…
Eberechi Eze to Arsenal – HERE WE GO!
Dear reader. My excitement levels are through the roof on this one. I wrote briefly about Eze in an earlier post, but I didn’t go into it. Frankly, I thought it was an impossibility. For all the world, it looked as though one of the Premier Leagues hottest talents was indeed heading to North London, but to be wearing the white of Tottenham. Reports were even indicating that it was only days away from being confirmed. On Twitter / X, Spurs fans were gearing up to drop their “Welcome to Tottenham” videos.
Then Andrea Berta swooped.
I’ve not seen a move like this from Arsenal since Mesut Ozil, and for me, even that doesn’t carry the same weight as this. Firstly, Arsenal were not genuine title contenders at that time. We got a cracking player in Ozil, at the peak of his powers too, but it was never enough for me to say, “now we win”.
Secondly, social media wasn’t what it is today. The hype and joy of Arsenal fans online yesterday was beautiful to see, and when you add the meltdown of Spurs fans. Well, it was almost too much to take in. I fell asleep with a smile on my face. Eventually.
Before I end this post, I want to touch on a few reasons why the signing of Ebere Eze excites me so much.
Eze over the last couple of years, has gone from strength to strength to strength in the Crystal Palace shirt, and is now without doubt the shining star of the team. His dynamism on the ball is evident in any game you watch him play. Carrying the ball, he moves with pace, power, and skill; a combination rarely seen to his level. His technique in ball striking is pure, be it from a first time shot or a pass to a teammate. We’ve seen this only last season when he scored against Arsenal. A corner kick was swung out to him at the edge of the box to pull the trigger on. He buried it, with a strike that can only be described as “tekkers”.
What he will bring to Arsenal, however, is so much more than just being a good footballer. Arsenal set themselves up to be a methodical attacking team, reusing similar patterns of play that have an emphasis on patience and ball retention. The signing of Viktor Gyokeres, as I have also mentioned in previous posts, seems to indicate a willingness to embrace a different approach at least at times. Gyokeres is a player who plays best in transition, on the counterattack, using his strength and power and pace to beat his man, make the opportunity to shoot, and very often, score.
Zubimendi’s addition to the team means we have a player who can release the ball from deep, quickly. This benefits not just Gyokeres, but by default should assist Saka and Martinelli (should he remain with the club) on the wings. Ebere Eze brings something else. An x-factor. He is a player who is phenomenal on the counter, in ball carrying and timing of pass. Without getting overhyped about what was missing against Manchester United, it was the release of pass into space to find the runner that failed Gyokeres. For me, the signing of Eberechi Eze immediately increases Viktor Gyokeres projected goal return. He could be the key that unlocks the Swede. It doesn’t hurt that Jean-Phillippe Mateta’s style of play is not a million miles off that of Gyokeres and just look at the impact Eze had there.
Where will he play? Well, that remains to be seen. He can play off the left, he can play as an 8, and he can play as a 10. He can do it all. He can beat a man in effortless fashion, can carry the ball up the pitch quickly, he can box-crash, and he can shoot and finish. Arsenal have not just a gem of a footballer on their hands, but I would go as far as to say they are signing the missing link for their season. The fact that it comes at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur is just a delightful by-product.
One final comment. It should not be overlooked that Eberechi Eze is a player who took many a hit early on in his career and yet has fought his way back to sit now at the very top table. He has risen to a height even he surely could not have predicted, becoming a star that unites a fanbase, and realize his own dream of wearing the cannon on his chest. Arsenal fans should be just as excited to be signing a player with that fighting spirit, determination, and even harbours a love for the club.
Eberechi Eze, you have just sent North London into a tizzy, from both sides of the coin. Welcome to Arsenal FC.
Readers, thank you for your time, and as always, if you think I’m just talking out of my arse, tell me why.
TL;DR – Arsenal have had the most insane 24 hours that I can remember in recent history. A new deal for Trossard without extending the length of his contract. Then the devastating news of Kai Havertz injury, with the poor divil set for a seemingly lengthy time out of action. Was Arsenals season starting to crumble? Well.. hold on to hats, we got the BOMBA of all BOMBA’s.
Arsenal moved swiftly and decisively for Eberechi Eze, snapping a Bonafide superstar from under the noses of Tottenham Hotspur and changing the landscape of their 25/26 season. Give Andrea Berta a medal.
Still TL;DR – Eberechi Eze – welcome home, young man!
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