Eberechi Eze has reportedly agreed to join Arsenal after the club unexpectedly hijacked a near-complete transfer to Tottenham. The Gunners moved swiftly following a serious knee injury to Kai Havertz, securing an agreement in principle with Crystal Palace worth around £60 million–£68 million—comprising both a base fee and add-ons.
Eze is said to favour Arsenal—his boyhood club—making personal terms a formality as he prepares for a medical. The deal, once finalized, represents a major coup for Mikel Arteta’s side and a record-breaking exit for Palace. Here is how we think Arsenal will line-up once the signing is complete.
🚨❤️🤍 BREAKING: Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between all parties.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2025
Crystal Palace to receive package in excess of £60m as Eze preferred #AFC over Spurs.
Arsenal win race over Tottenham, been in advanced talks for days but never sealed. pic.twitter.com/nUN2gXXjgY
The Defensive Base
At the back, David Raya is a show in, winning the Premier League Golden Glove in both of the past two seasons. In front of him, the central defensive pairing of Saliba and Gabriel remains the best in the Premier League — strong in duels, quick across the ground, and tactically in sync.
At right-back, both Jurrien Timber and Ben White are very good options. Ben White gives the team more going forward, with his constant overlaps beyond Bukayo Saka. However, Timber is stronger defensively and has made that position his own during the past 12 months, Both men will see significant game time, with the starter depending on opposition.
On the left, Riccardo Calafiori offers unpredictability going forward, with his progressive passing and ball carrying ability. Myles Lewis-Skelly offers similar advantages, however, he is more calm and composed than the Italian. While Calafiori offers more going forward, it is fair to say Lewis-Skelly is stronger defensively. Again, Mikel Arteta's selection will differ on the strength of opponent in front of them. Calafiori has begun this season as a starter and we expect that to continue for now.
"A magical Arsenal set piece" 🪄
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
Riccardo Calafiori opens the scoring for the Gunners! pic.twitter.com/a1m2uj2cfE
The Midfield Engine
The double pivot of Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice picks itself. They give Arsenal both control and bite. Zubimendi’s metronomic passing and positional awareness allow Arsenal to dominate possession while Rice provides dynamism, tackling power, and box-to-box presence. This balance is crucial in the Premier League, especially against teams who transition quickly.
Ahead of them, Martin Ødegaard thrives as the creative heartbeat. His vision, movement between the lines, and leadership set the tempo in the final third. With Zubimendi anchoring and Rice covering ground, Ødegaard gets the freedom to influence the game higher up. While the Arsenal captain spent much of last season dropping deeper to help progress the ball, this should not be something required of him this season, thanks to the signing of Zubimendi.
The Attacking Trident
On the right, Bukayo Saka is undisputed — Arsenal’s talisman, cutting in from the wing with his trademark left foot, delivering goals and assists at a world-class level. On the opposite side, the incoming Eberechi Eze adds unpredictability. His dribbling, flair, and ability to glide past defenders give Arsenal a new dimension, preventing over-reliance on Saka. Too often in recent seasons have opposition teams been able to afford doubling up on Saka, as they are not as concerned about the threat that can come from the other side of the pitch.
Eze & Saka #AFC pic.twitter.com/UeBEM61t3p
— AFC Pics (@W33ie) August 20, 2025
Leading the line is Viktor Gyökeres, a forward who combines physicality, pressing, and clinical finishing. Unlike Arsenal’s previous striking options, Gyökeres offers a true focal point — someone who can hold up play, stretch defences, and finish chances inside the box. He may have had a tough start against Manchester United on the opening day, however, it is surely only a matter of time before he gets up to speed and replicates his goal scoring form from Sporting Lisbon.
Line-up: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Odegaard, Eze, Gyokeres
Eberechi Eze could be the kind of game-changing addition that pushes Arsenal over the line in the Premier League title race. His ability to carry the ball through tight spaces, glide past defenders, and create chances under pressure gives Arsenal a different attacking outlet when teams sit deep to nullify Bukayo Saka or Martin Ødegaard. That unpredictability and versatility could be the key to turning tight draws into crucial wins — the fine margins that often decide a title race.
