As expected, Arsenal intentionally waited until moments before the first game of the season at the Emirates to unveil Eberechi Eze to the 60,000 in attendance. In football, success and failure can be decided by the smallest details, so if this helped give the crowd a lift, why not?
When you think of the stance Gyökeres, Isak and Wiska have taken this summer, it is easy to paint footballers as the disloyal parties in the sport. It suits clubs for fans to believe this narrative. Supporters are essentially customers, so from a PR perspective no business wants the image of being selfish and greedy.
Look how Liverpool fans treated Trent Alexander-Arnold when his only crime was respecting his contract, being a professional until it expired but choosing a better job elsewhere. That happens around the world every day in various industries. It took Jürgen Klopp to remind everyone how foolish it was to boo one of their own who had contributed to every major domestic trophy. The German manager knew that if the full back had broken his leg two years ago, no one at Anfield would have thought twice about letting him go as a free agent.
Eze’s long road back
Ask Eberechi Eze how loyal football clubs are. At the age of 13 he was living his boyhood dream. A Gooner who idolised Thierry Henry, he was part of Arsenal’s Academy dreaming that this could be his life forever, being paid to do something he loved. When he was told he was being released, do you think they cared about how much the teenager loved the badge? Did anyone consider his emotional attachment to the shirt?
For someone so young, rejection like that can mentally set you back. Eze went home in tears, and the pain lasted for a week. The coach who gave him the bad news would not have enjoyed breaking a child’s heart, but by the time they reached their car they would have been thinking about dinner. That is the ruthless nature of sport and the wider world. Everyone is friendly when you are a talented resource. Once you are expendable, you are forgotten and replaced by the next cog in the wheel.
Arsenal treated Mesut Özil like royalty the day he extended his deal because he was seen as an asset who could make money on and off the pitch. Once the Kroenke family regretted the wages, every trick was used to make the midfielder so miserable he would walk away from his contract. Suddenly, it was the player who was wrong for honouring the agreement.
Eze was also released by Fulham, Reading and Millwall. At one point he prayed Sunderland would take him on, but after one week they cancelled the trial. This is what happens to so many youngsters who chase the dream. Eze saw others give up but kept going. Now a senior player, he will be aware of youngsters at Selhurst Park going through the same pain he did.
Resilience pays off
It takes character to believe in yourself when others do not. Many did not see Eze playing for England at the Euros or scoring in cup finals, but he blocked out the noise and trusted his own ability. After a 14-year journey he is back at Arsenal, and while Spurs may feel misled and Oliver Glasner may be angry about how he left Crystal Palace, Eze will not lose sleep. Clubs have always put their own needs first, and this time he did the same.
QPR will also benefit from his return, receiving around £7 million thanks to a 15 per cent sell-on clause. Loftus Road was where Eze first felt others had confidence in him, simplifying his game and preparing him for the top level.
Compare his attitude to some of Arsenal’s Academy graduates. Ainsley Maitland-Niles sulked on social media, Eddie Nketiah coasted on a contract, and Reiss Nelson never fulfilled his early promise. Eze is the same age or just slightly older than those three but has surpassed them through resilience, not comfort. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to take a giant leap forward.
It is an incredible story. Which is why Arsenal asked Ian Wright to narrate the video welcoming him home. Wright too became a professional late, knew rejection, became a cult hero at Crystal Palace and finally lived his dream at Arsenal. Both he and Eze joined the club at 27, both lifelong Gunners.
To quote Ian Wright:
“Something’s don’t need saying …..
But we say things anyway…..
Do you want to realise those dreams?
Do you want The Arsenal?”
On behalf of the JustArsenal family, welcome home Eze. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.
Dan Smith
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
The smile on his face during the introduction at the Emirates said it all.
He must have been thinking, it is going to take a act of God to stop him from earning his own statue at the Emirates
Yes his face said a lot about what it meant for him to be there. Already a favourite for just that!
He’s been having an incredible journey, but his £68m price tag is extremely high for a right-footed 27-year-old AM, although his English homegrown status might’ve inflated his market value significantly
Then we should give RVP a break. The greatest striker I have ever seen who had it not been for injuries he would have achieved great great things.
He didn’t shy away from standing up to the Kroenkes “only” top 4 ambition. He wouldn’t if he didn’t have great love for the club.
Look at our players from last decade or so, which one actually cared or cares that we lift silverware instead of their pockets like RVP did?
Yet he is the judas.
He will remain the Judas HH.
There is no comparison between the Eza situation and Rvps.
RVP was at the physios almost 70%of his productive career at the Arsenal. The club stood by him and even made him captain. Unfortunately he jumped at the earliest opportunity to leave us when we needed him most.
Whatever motivation he had, to me he will remain a traiter forever.
Thankfully even at man u they don’t recognise him.
100% behind your post Cliff and a great article Dan.
Cliff, while I agree with you that there is no comparison between RVP and Eze, the fact is it’s a clubs obligation to look after one of their players when he’s injured. You say he was with the physios for 70% of his time with us, yet he stands in our top 10 of all time top goalscorers.
I agreed with RVP over our clubs lack of ambition at that time. A players career is short and they want to win the top trophies. He left and then won the PL.
The club stood by him through his injury and setbacks. The manner in which he left may be questioned, but his celebrations aimed at us will forever be in bad taste. Players have come and players have gone. It is the manner in which the left and the manner they reacted, that makes them the Judases. Will welcome any day Nasri or Chichy or Giroud but never Adebayor or Fabregas or RVP or Sanchez. Everyone does what is best for oneself, but the manner and conduct should remain professional.
TSRS, he never celebrated after scoring his first goal against us. He only started celebrating scoring against us when our fans started singing “she said no Robin”.
Back in the day, players always celebrated scoring whoever it was against.
Hence why I keep disagreeing with people that postulate that The Kroenke’s are not ambitious. That they are not spending the money to suggest that they want to win big trophies and that they are happy with Arteta and Arsenal just making the TOP 4 / the Champions league places.
They have spent another £70 million on Eze.
Now they have spent about £1 billion on the squad since Arteta was appointed and don’t look like stopping any time soon.
They have brought back that optimism to the club. Players are falling over themselves to join this club today.
I used to be one of the biggest critics of The Kroenke’s but I have had to be honest and go with what the evidence keeps showing. They are deeply invested in the club and are trying their best to support the manager and make the fans happy.
👍🤞
Well, you say this but it is important to recognise that there are various factors that can affect spending in the current financial climate.
Arsenal’s revenue generation has increased substantially over the past few years. This is one of the reasons Arsenal have been able to spend as much as they have. The likes of Aston Villa and Newcastle aren’t able to spend as much not simply because the owners aren’t willing but at least partly due to financial rules.
Then I’ll add their timing isn’t been perfect! And if so we could have won the epl the past 3 seasons. When you are fighting for the title you give the manager what he wants. Arteta is on record asking for help in the transfer market and was completely ignored.
Every Arsenal fan I know and even pundits knew what and when we needed to sign to have a greater chance in winning, we’ve been 2/ 3 signing away always close and not close enough.
I hope he scores, deliver assists and spark creativity. I’m happy we got him.
I’ve watched his unveiling so many times and each time I love him that little bit more. It looked like a pinch me am I dreaming moment for him as he walked out on to the pitch.
He’s back where he belongs and I’m so pleased for him.
Sue, ive watched it several times as well. The look back he does at the crowd just to check this is all really happening to him 😅. How can you not love this guy already?
It was a lovely moment, RSH. Exactly, such a nice guy and a gooner through and through! You can tell it means everything to him. I’m so glad he’s ours (again 😄)
I love a good montage
Infectious smile. How could you not be happy for this guy? Literally his dream come to life. This is such a wonderful signing.
Also, Athletic saying Saka/Odegaard injuries are NOT serious. Massive
A really interesting and meaningful article, Dan
His resilience has stood him in good stead and people like him are what makes the difference between the entitled and those who make sacrifices, receiving knocks to realise their hard earned destinies.
Back where he started. And he’s a good example to any academy player at which ever club, that are let go to never give up hope. Arsenal felt at the time he wasn’t right for whatever reason, but having watched him develop and produce what he produced for Palace. They obviously feel the time is right for him now show us what he can do.
Welcome back Mr Eze, show us what you’ve got.👍
Derek
I agree with your final sentiment (I think).😄
Bertie,
Naughty!, I meant show us what you’ve got from a purely football playing point of view. 🤦♂️🤣👍
Derek
Clarification received and understood!
Bertie,
Glad to hear it, PHEW!.😂👍
Not that there is anything wrong with that of course ? Lol
If Odegard doesn’t up his game soon he’s going to be demoted from the starting 11. Looking at the way Nwaneri impacted the game yesterday and with Eze on board.
Very true Oyama.
The ball is now in Artetas Court. He should drop the favouritism card and employ the merit card.
Let people earn their game time,we should no longer have guaranteed starters irregardless of their performance.
Cliff,
Could not agree with you more. 👍
True, Ethan had a good game!
Love this guy – So humble and will be an Arsenal Great….
An incredible story, a wonderful article, and the interview with Ian Wright…pure emotion.
Cheers mate
I am picturing him hitting a screamer at the kop end and the celebration priceless! The start of something special.
I’ve never been this excited about a signing since Özil. We have been effective over the last few seasons but we’ve lacked that spark & spice you associate with players like Özil,Cazorla and now Eze.
For me, football is not just about winning but also entertainment. Some players make it an art and I think Eze is one of those. Three points is cool and all but it’s also cool to see tricks, flicks, flair and a player dancing their way past opponents.
The last time we saw a player like this was Jesus before his injury in 2022. In many ways,I see Eze as a replacement for some of the things Jesus brought to the team. I will not be surprised if Eze plays some games as a false 9.
I loved this article, my favourite writer on JA 👏👏👏👏👏
This made me emotional reading it. Eze’s unveiling felt like we’ve been reunited with a long lost family member.
I have a feeling this season is our season.
Come on Arsenal! 💪❤️🤍