The phone call that Eberechi Eze made to Mikel Arteta has come to light following his official unveiling as an Arsenal player. The former QPR man was presented in front of a packed Emirates crowd ahead of the Leeds game on Saturday. Arsenal’s new number 10 received a hero’s welcome, a fitting moment for a player who completed a full circle after being released by the club at the age of 13.
Eze then watched on as his new teammates produced an emphatic display, cruising past Leeds United with braces from Viktor Gyökeres and Jurrien Timber and a goal from Bukayo Saka. His transfer was wrapped up very quickly. Arsenal agreed a deal on the very day Tottenham had reached a verbal agreement to sign the 27-year-old. Andrea Berta and the recruitment team were given credit for their swift action, but the player himself deserves huge recognition for his part in the move.
The call that changed everything
According to The Athletic, Eberechi Eze phoned Mikel Arteta on Wednesday afternoon to check if the Gunners were still an option before he finalised a move to Spurs. Arteta reportedly explained that the club were holding a meeting later that day and by evening, the deal had already been completed. Whether Arsenal would have signed him without that call may never be known, but it is safe to say the intervention was timely and key to forcing the club into action.
Kai Havertz’s injury may also have been a factor in the decision, while the player’s lifelong love for Arsenal helped seal the move. The feeling is mutual: Arsenal are signing one of the most creative forwards in the Premier League, while Eze fulfils his dream of playing for his boyhood club.
Importance moving forward
Eberechi Eze is expected to make his first appearance against Liverpool next week. With Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard both picking up injuries during the Leeds clash, his importance moving forward cannot be overstated.
Benjamin Kenneth
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I think it’s fairly safe to say that a combination of the timing of Sp*rs real and close interest in Eze and the unfortunate injury to Havertz contributed in large part to Arsenal’s speedy and, at that particular time, unexpected signing.
It’s pure speculation of course, but I’m not 100% sure Arsenal would have signed Eze in different circumstances but I’m glad, nevertheless, that he’s joined Arsenal.
I would love to know what effect, if any, the fans’ overwhelming desire to bring in Eze had on parts of the ownership/hierarchy in finally doing what it took to get him. They had to be aware of the sentiment involved as ultimately expressed en masse at the Emirates introduction.
I don’t think it had or has had any bearing on transfers. Otherwise management might as well let fans decide.
The fact fans were saying what a good buy he was reflected Artetas own thoughts once we knew he was available
Either way exciting times ahead for sure and certainly to see how he links with Gyokeres and then Dowman also. And let’s not forget our other teens MLS and Nwaneri.
Thanks for your opinion Neil but I’m not sure I can agree in this particular case but I guess we’ll never know for certain.
Incidents like the super league fiasco or perhaps even the Wenger Out activity show how fans can have an effect on things which they might not would normally have if it can be seen that longer term negative bottom line effects (due to potentially lesser demand for the product) are potentially at play. Of course transfer matters don’t typically rise to that level but sometimes I’d really like to be a fly on the wall of Berta’s office.
Yes, the future is bright for the Arsenal!
that is, transfer matters don’t typically rise to that level as far as long-term fan sentiment is concerned
All just my opinion of course.
Fans pressure and sentiments do have bearing on a club making decisions at various times, Big Sam once saved Everton from relegation,
But the same ungrateful fans force the board to replace him in the hope of getting a coach that plays a more attractive football
Prior to the signing, there was a head of steam on fan sites but to what extent anyone in authority at the club would take that into account is (very) debatable in my opinion.
If there had been mass demonstrations outside of The Emirates for several weeks demanding Eze’s signing, who knows, but that wouldn’t have happened anyway – although it would have been a sight to see.
He’s made his agent look a bit silly.
Jax,
If he’s made his agent look silly, I for one am quite glad. For me these players agents have far to much clout in the game. And the fee’s they get from said players move. No wonder they spend half their time trying to get them moves.
The more moves they get, the more money goes into the agents coffers.