The arrival of **Eberechi Eze**will raise expectations for Arsenal, but no one can demand more of the new number ten than himself. Driven by a dream, he has held himself accountable at each opportunity to impress the Gunners, saying that "I've been on trial for four years" to return to his boyhood club.
‘I just want to win’
The number ten belongs to the talisman of the team. Eze himself wore the number 10 for four seasons with the Eagles, getting the game-breaking goals against Aston Villa and **Man City**on the way to glory in the FA Cup. Now, he has the chance to follow in the footsteps of some legendary figures.
He was a part of the Hale End academy when **Robin van Persie**was vice-captain for the Gunners, and the more recent owners of the number have included Jack Wilshere and Emile Smith Rowe. But if he at all mimics the transformative effect of Dennis Bergkamp, he knows he has achieved greatness.
“I know what it means and for me for me it's a privilege and an honour because I know the names that have wore this shirt before me and I see this opportunity as something that's like a blessing. So just to be able to be here. I'm going to give everything I have to pay back this type of respect.”
After the **FA Cup**triumph, the attacker returned with Palace to Wembley Stadium a fortnight ago. The curtain raiser for the new campaign took place against reigning Premier League champions **Liverpool,**and the Eagles earned the Community Shield crown for the first time in their history.
He has seen what these feats meant for Palace and now aspires to give the Gunners the same joy.
“I just want to win. I want to win whatever's there. I feel like I've got a taste for it and to contribute to give whatever I can to help the team win. I'm on it. That's my mentality. And I've seen what it means.
“I've seen what you can do not just to your teammates and the staff, but I can see what you can do to people when you win and when you bring that type of joy to a place. So to be part of that is my aim.”
Eze has never played in the Champions League, nor is he a surefire starter for his country. But with a big year at a club gunning for the top titles, he could be closer to other ambitions he has for his career.
“I'm only going to get better. I'm only going to improve. I'm only going to work harder. This feels like the perfect environment to do everything that that I've dreamed of, and in a World Cup year as well.”
‘It’s the perfect environment’
**Andrea Berta**brought him through the door as the sporting director, and the man in the dugout is Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has been back in North London for only a few months more than Eze had spent in the south of the capital, so he has sensed the vibes of his new boss and likes what he sees.
“Good, man. I can see his energy. I can see the level of passion that he has. For me, that's everything I need. Mikel, Andrea, I know they're going to make me better, man. That's it. That's what I want.”
A shoulder injury for Martin Odegaard might make it easier for Eze to operate as a ten in the central areas of the pitch, where he does the most damage. He could feature from the left flank, where Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard are the alternative options for the manager.
But positioning is a trivial matter for the attacker. What matters most to him is freedom of expression.
“As long as I'm on the pitch, I'm given the opportunity to play and express myself in the environment, it don't matter where I'm playing. He has ideas and things that he wants, but for me, I'm free, man.”
Eze went to the Euros last summer with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, while he has linked up with Madueke on national duty for the Three Lions. One would think that the 27-year-old should be fine to find his feet again in old territory, but he also feels familiar faces will ease the integration process.
“It makes it easier to settle into an environment. You got guys that will be honest with you, that will help you, that will put their arm around you when you need it. For me, it's the perfect environment.”
However, he has mentally locked himself into making the move work for a long time. The 27-year-old drilled a volley from a corner into the net in a 2-2 draw at the **Emirates Stadium**in April, and the year before, his daring dribbling left an impression despite a resounding 5-0 defeat for the Eagles.
“I’ve on trial for four years. I'll be honest, I've been on trial. Every time I come to Arsenal, I've looked at I would look at the seat I used to sit on when I used to come to games with my brothers and I said every single time, this is it. It's time. This is an opportunity to show. Five 5 years on I'm here now.”
‘I'll give whatever I can'
The weekend was a whirlwind experience for Eze, but one more moment left him speechless. Thierry Henry wished him well with the transfer, and the attacker was taken aback by the support of his hero.
“When you use words, you can ruin something. You ain't got words. When you use words, sometimes you can ruin it. I'm telling you, this for me, it's the feeling. I can try to explain it, but it's the feeling.”
He was again articulate about how he thought that this transfer is going to pan out. The courage of his convictions from his faith has helped take him to North London, and he embraces the next chapter.
“I've seen how this has played out. I've seen how last time I played out. I've seen stuff that's given me the confidence and conviction just to like whatever's there, man, let's go. I'll give whatever I can. Whatever the result is, it is what it is. But I know that there is a feeling inside me for sure.”
**Arsenal**have been in the habit of picking up players pre-peak, but Eze is in the prime of his career. Coming through so much rejection, as well as a snapped Achilles tendon in 2021, he has learned that the best he can do in any situation is to showcase his ability with pride and apply himself completely.
“So, I've been playing how I've been playing. I've been developing this and that., I had the heart of if it's meant to be, it will happen. And I believe it will, but if it doesn't, I'm at peace because I know I'm giving everything. So, for it to happen and to be in a position, this is just a bit energy inside the tank.”
No one knows exactly how the future will go. But the emotional attachment of Eze is clear to see.
The 27-year-old would watch a 5-0 win for **Arsenal**in the stands on Saturday, so his first minutes might come against **Liverpool**at Anfield. The much-awaited home debut could be a timely one against a defensively disciplined Nottingham Forest. He shared how he may react to that moment.
“I don't know. I don't know. I won't cry. I can try and explain to you now, but like I've walked out there before, but not as an Arsenal player. So to be on the other side wearing the number 10, this is telling you if you ask me the question where do you want to be at this age? This, that, whatever, this is it.”