The reason Eberechi Eze was released from Arsenal academy and left heartbroken at 13 has now come into focus. This comes just as he closes in on a fairytale return to Emirates.
Early heartbreak for Eze at Arsenal academy
Eberechi Eze’s journey could have ended before it even began. As a kid at **Arsenal**‘s Hale End academy, the midfielder was destined for the top. A boyhood fan who idolized Thierry Henry, he looked every bit the part of player in red and white.
However, when he was just 13 years old, the Gunners cut ties in 2011. The coaches believed that he didn’t have the right defensive work rate to play at the very highest level. At that moment, he never gave up.
After Arsenal, he was let go from Fulham, Millwall and Reading as well. He also had a handful of failed trials at clubs like Sunderland, Swansea, and Bristol City. For most kids, that would be the end of the journey. For Eze, it became fuel.
Redemption on the cards
Now, the same kid once deemed “not good enough” is on the brink of a £67.5m move back to Arsenal. His numbers at Crystal Palace speaks for itself. He was a central role in Palace’s most successful period in recent memory with 68 goals involvements in 169 matches.
The Gunners sudden move for their former academy product came after Kai Havertz’s injury. That pushed Arteta’s staff to act quickly and snatch him from Spurs’ grasp. Now, Eze has the chance to be more than just a signing. He could be the missing piece in Arsenal’s push to finally end their long wait for a league title.
Author’s Opinion
Eze’s story shows why patience and belief matter in football. Arsenal may have once let him slip, but this reunion feels like the perfect second chance for both player and club.