Arsenal hijack rivals in stunning swoop for Premier League star

Tottenham had spent much of this week confident of landing the England international. Talks with Palace and Eze had progressed, and Spurs reportedly even explored including Richarlison in the deal.

However, Arsenal re-entered the race late on Wednesday, making a decisive move after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury, and turned the tide with an aggressive financial package.

The hijack is particularly significant given Eze’s history. A boyhood Arsenal supporter who once passed through their academy, the Palace star was long admired at the Emirates, and much of the groundwork for a possible deal is believed to have been carried out back in June.

While Arsenal’s focus shifted to other targets earlier in the window, Havertz’s injury provided the catalyst to revisit Eze, and ultimately beat Spurs at the final hurdle.

For Crystal Palace, the transfer represents a record sale and a seismic moment in their summer business. Yet Eze is still expected to feature in the club’s Europa Conference League playoff on Thursday, giving him the chance to bid farewell to supporters before his switch to north London.

The move also highlights Arsenal’s ambition under Mikel Arteta to make a legitimate title challenge. Eze would become their seventh signing of the window, pushing their summer outlay close to £200M ($269.2M). 

His versatility, able to play as an attacking midfielder, wide forward or a second striker offers Arteta new tactical options at a crucial stage of the season.

For Spurs, the collapse of the deal is a bitter pill. Thomas Frank had identified Eze as a priority signing, and his sudden loss to their fiercest rivals not only dents their recruitment plans but also hands Arsenal a symbolic victory in the north London rivalry.

As Eze prepares for his Arsenal unveiling, the Gunners will feel they have landed both a major talent and a psychological edge. For Tottenham, the search for alternatives begins.