Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze has previously spoken about the heartache of leaving Arsenal’s academy when he was just 13 years old.
Now a leading performer in the Premier League and a full England international, Eze has established himself as a player capable of making an impact at the very highest level.
It didn’t always come so easily for Eze, though, who was rejected by Arsenal and a string of other clubs as a youngster.
Eze’s breakthrough finally came at Queens Park Rangers, which ended up earning him his move to Palace in the summer of 2020.
It seems the 26-year-old is now on Arsenal’s radar this summer, according to Ben Jacobs of Give Me Sport, and it could mean a return to the club that first let him go all those years ago.
Eberechi Eze cried when he left Arsenal
Speaking in an interview with the Independent back in 2020, Eze revealed just how badly he took it when the Gunners let him go.
”It started at Arsenal,” he said. “I was 13 [when I was released]. That was the worst one.
“I remember crying in my room for a solid week, my mum telling me that it’s going to be OK but not being able to get over it.
“Then I went to Fulham and I was finally starting to enjoy my football again. We played Arsenal a few months later but, when I went over to shake the academy manager’s hand, I started welling up. All the feelings came back.”
Can Eze become a key player for Arsenal now?
It remains to be seen if Arsenal’s move for Eze will definitely happen, with Jacobs also reporting on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes being their dream target.
Still, Eze is proven in the Premier League and clearly cares about the club, which has got to count for something.
Eze finished last season with 15 goals and 11 assists, including that all-important winner for Palace against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
It’s easy to imagine he could now have it in him to make another step up and give some much-needed spark to Mikel Arteta’s attack.
It would also be quite the story after Eze first failed to make it at Arsenal before turning his career around in such emphatic style.
Just his age is against him, but his heart is for Arsenal.
After a 4 year contract I believe he would be 30, so no sell on value.
It will depend on his sale price and wages, when comparing him to a younger alternative.
wow very good analysis
Profits made on a player doesn’t have to reflect when he is sold … if trophies are won , that should count for returns too
At 26 he’s is at his peak, what if he produced valuable trophy winning performances for 8 years? not every time we think about sell-on, Arsenal is not suppose to be a selling club.
He’s such a talent & would rightly fit into arsenal
Sell on value? Even Joginho and Norgaard had value and got sold to Arsenal.
Eze is great talent in the midfield or wide on the right.
Arsenal should please go for him…his age is no barrier. Christian Ronaldo just signed a contract at 40. So?
The coach and SD knows the best.
If he would deliver within 4yrs period, fine.
He is a good player anyway
it’s going to be lovely to see that Eberechi comes back and fulfil hie dream as arsenal graduate
I think it will be a good addition to the team moving forword
For now we need a trophy not profiteering from the sales. whether old or young if he can make an impact that leads to the quenching of our thirst for a trophy please let him be admitted.
Eze is a fantastic player and can fit into Arsenal team. Arsenal need players of kind who are versatile.
Another player who can take Arsenal to a greater height if acquired is Rafael Leao of Ac Milan.
Arsenal should make Rafael Leao purchase a priority if they want to be What they use be in Henry Thierrys’era. up Gunners.
To me i think he’s a kind player who plays with all heart, so if they go for it will be a great addition
To me i think he’s a kind player who plays with all heart, so if they go for it will be a great addition. Back to striking force if m arteta is a great manager what victor g is playing in sporting he can fit in any team cause he’s a great player.
Tottenham fans are deluded to think he will choose them over us…This kid has Arsenal tattooed in his heart, but he reason he is the player he is today is because of his heartache as a kid, it spurred him on and made him stronger, i highly doubt he would be the player he is today if he had stayed at Arsenal, This guy is top level and, he is double of a player to Rodrygo who we continue to be linked with. Eze will be a big addition to this Arsenal team, we need him.