Crystal Palace lose their creative force in attack

By Martin Graham

Eberechi Eze’s exit from Crystal Palace marks the end of an era for the club. The forward was the focal point of their attacking system, and replacing him at this late stage of the transfer period will be an immense challenge. Still, the Eagles have already drawn up a shortlist of potential signings, which comes as no surprise given the likelihood of his departure.

Palace were always expected to sanction a move if the price was right, especially after Eze’s pivotal role in helping the club claim their first-ever piece of silverware last season. Scoring the decisive goal in the FA Cup final, he cemented his place in the club’s history. After five years of consistent service, his decision to step up to a bigger stage is viewed positively inside Selhurst Park, with the player leaving on good terms and with the warm wishes of everyone connected to the team.

Arsenal strike at Tottenham’s expense

For Arsenal, capturing Eze counts among the most dramatic transfer hijacks of the summer. Tottenham had believed a deal was practically sealed, only for their north London rivals to swoop in at the final moment. While the £67.5 million fee wasn’t spent purely to upstage Spurs, the timing makes the outcome all the more satisfying for Arsenal supporters.

The Gunners’ pursuit of Eze wasn’t sudden. They had tracked him for a considerable time and were pushed into decisive action after news emerged of Kai Havertz’s knee problem, which could keep him sidelined for an extended period. Cheaper or short-term solutions were available, but Arsenal opted for another major investment, taking their total spending past £200 million this summer. That level of outlay heaps extra pressure on Mikel Arteta to bring home a major trophy.

Unlike some recent signings, Eze offers genuine versatility. He could challenge Gabriel Martinelli for a place on the left wing or even compete with Martin Ødegaard for the playmaking role. No matter where he is deployed, pairing Eze with Bukayo Saka gives Arsenal an attacking combination that will unsettle any Premier League opponent.

A return shaped by the past

Eze’s move to Arsenal carries a personal weight. As a teenager, he was let go by the club at just 13 years old, a setback that left him devastated for weeks. Yet that rejection strengthened his resolve and pushed him to fight his way to the top. Fourteen years later, he comes back not as an academy hopeful but as an England international ready to perform at the highest level.

Some might argue Tottenham would have been the more straightforward choice, as a regular starting position under Thomas Frank would have been virtually guaranteed. At Arsenal, competition for places will be fiercer, and breaking into Arteta’s first-choice eleven will require consistency at the very highest standard.

However, Eze was motivated by more than guaranteed minutes. Returning to the Emirates was about completing unfinished business and testing himself in a squad genuinely aiming for the Premier League title. Spurs and Palace may have enjoyed recent cup triumphs, but the Gunners are the side expected to fight for the league. For Eze, this was both an emotional homecoming and a logical step in his career progression.