When Eberechi Eze netted for Palace in April’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates – a fine first-time strike from a corner – any initial disappointment among Arsenal fans quickly gave way to admiration for a player many already dreamed of seeing in red and white.
Three months later, the supporters have their man.
For Eze, a boyhood Gooner who played for the club for five years before being released at 13, the journey “home” has been long and winding, but never out of sight.
In fact, the England international says every time he represented Palace at the Emirates, he felt like he was on trial.
Speaking to Ian Wright in his first official interview with the club, Eze revealed: “I’ve always thought: ‘Arsenal is where it’s at, that’s what I want to achieve, what I want to get to.’
“I’ve been on trial for four years, if I’m being honest. Every time I came to Arsenal, I looked at the seat that I used to sit on when I used to come to games with my brothers, and I’ve said every single time: ‘this is it – it’s time, this is an opportunity.’
“I’m not going to say I knew it was going to happen, but that’s the feeling.”
Eze appeared to be on the cusp of joining Sp\*rs before the Gunners made their move – a decision, in part, influenced by an injury to Kai Havertz.
It’s since been revealed that [Eze called Mikel Arteta on Wednesday](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6568120/2025/08/23/inside-eberechi-eze-arsenal-transfer/) to ask if there was any chance of a deal before he committed to a move further up the Seven Sisters Road. Hours later, Arsenal agreed terms with Palace.
Eze with the first of many assists, or so Gunners fans will be hoping.
On how his move came about, he reflected: “As a player, I have a level of belief in myself. I’ve been playing how I’ve been playing, I’ve been developing this and that, and I had the heart that 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 now and to be in this position, there is a bit more energy inside the tank.”
Arteta believes Eze [“has the capacity to create these magic moments”](https://www.arsenal.com/news/every-word-mikel-artetas-post-leeds-presser) as well as the versatility to help the Gunners in various positions. It sounds as though the player is similarly enamoured by the manager.
“I can see his energy, I can see the level of passion that he has. That’s everything I need, I know that, I can see that. Andrea Berta as well, I know they’re going to make me better.
“There were talks about position, but as long as I’m on the pitch and given the opportunity to play and express myself in that environment, then it doesn’t matter where I’m playing. Of course, he has ideas and things that he wants, but for me, I’m free.”
Eze secured legend status at Selhurst Park after helping Palace to their first major silverware with the winning goal in the FA Cup final. Now he wants to do the same at Arsenal.
“I just want to win, I want to win whatever’s there,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve got a taste for it now, and to contribute, to give whatever I can to help the team win. I’m on it. That’s my mentality.
“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, when you bring that type of joy to the place. So to be part of that, that’s my aim.”