Ebeki Eze was denied the last opportunity to play at Crystal Palace before completing his move to Arsenal. After a £60 million relocation fee has been agreed between the two clubs, the forward is on the verge of moving to north London. Eze was originally scheduled to join Tottenham, but Arsenal quickly defeated his bitter rival at his signature.
Medical care has already been booked, and the travel will be officially announced in the coming days. Eze was initially expected to make his final appearance at the Palace in the Conference League playoffs with Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday evening. Before joining Arsenal, he would have offered him the opportunity to say goodbye to the Celhurst Park crowd.
Despite his wishes, Eze was not included in the matchday team. According to Givemesport, he was keen to play in fixtures and was about to start with manager Oliver Glasner.
However, Arsenal and the Palace are said to have decided to withdraw him from the match, probably because he is at risk of getting injured.
Eze is hoping to shake off the disappointment of missing out on a game against Fredrikstad as he prepares to embark on the next phase of his Arsenal career.
Their dramatic hijacking of his proposed move to Tottenham came after Kai Herberts picked up the injury and brought the gunners back to the market for a new advance.
Eze usually plays as an offensive midfielder, but former Arsenal defender William Glass thinks he may not be given regular minutes from the start.
“I think he had a great season with Crystal Palace, but I don’t think he’s in a departure role with Arsenal,” Glass said. “He may be in the future, but I don’t know if he will leave anytime soon.
“It depends on what Arsenal wants to do. If they want to win the league, they need a starter. Playing for Arsenal is a chance to finish the season as a Premier League winner, even from the bench, but that may mean you get less minutes.
“You can become a champion without starting many games, or start with a different club every week, but you don’t have the chance to win a trophy.”
Eze was a key figure as he won the Premier League in the past few campaigns and Palace won the FA Cup last season. He scored 14 goals and chipped with 11 more assists for the Eagles in all competitions.
The former QPR man almost started his account for the season with a recent goalless draw at Chelsea, but after VAR intervention he saw his free-kick goal was ruled out.
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