Olaleye Idowu
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Eberechi Eze called him to ask if the club was still interested in signing him from Crystal Palace amid an offer from their North London rivals Tottenham.
Eze was presented to a buzzing Emirates Stadium crowd ahead of the Gunners’ 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday evening.
The 27-year-old will cost Arsenal up to £67.5 million, and he has been handed the no.10 shirt.
It could have been different, though, as Spurs had agreed a deal to sign Eze, but the midfielder spoke with Arteta, leading to a board meeting.
“It is very difficult sometimes because you want to be very open and transparent with the players,” Arteta told beINSport about the phone call with Eze.
“They have to make decisions in their careers that are very, very important. I am delighted to have him. You can tell how much it means to him and his whole family.”
