The 27-year-old became Crystal Palace’s club record sale when he joined Arsenal for close to £70 million in the summer transfer window.
Eze, who scored the winner in last season’s FA Cup final to end Palace’s 120-year wait for major silverware, was the Eagles’ second marquee summer sale in the space of two seasons after Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich in July 2024.
Palace have suffered a noticeable decrease in individual quality with their crown jewels in attack departing in consecutive summers, and Thursday’s defeat against AEK Larnaca highlighted the lack of a player who can decide a game when the team is not completely functional.
Although they are struggling to take their chances this term, creativity has not been a problem for Palace since Eze’s departure — leading the way for expected goals (xG) in the Premier League.
Palace are way out in front with their xG 3.10 higher than Manchester United in second place. However, Glasner’s side have also been wasteful, netting 7.10 fewer goals than expected — the largest gap in the league.
Eagles boss Glasner is acutely aware that Palace lost someone who would finish those chances, but he takes encouragement from how the team have developed greater creativity.
“In Eberechi, we lost a player who could decide games on his own with one situation,” said Glasner
“Sometimes, especially after such an emotional game or such a disappointing defeat, it's good to look at the facts. I always look at the stats and we have the highest xG in the Premier League.
“Crystal Palace, after selling Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze and bringing in Yeremy Pino and Ismaïla Sarr, have the highest xG in the whole Premier League in front of City, Arsenal, Liverpool and all these teams.
“This is a credit to the team, not to the individuals. The whole team. It just shows how much effort the team put in every single game.
“Yes, of course, everybody who likes Crystal Palace would like to have Michael and Ebs still in the squad. But on the other side, it shows that we can also create enough chances to score goals.
“But now, this is also what we have to learn and improve in giving the players time to be that efficient.
“We lost a fantastic player and even more fantastic person. Looking forward to seeing him, but no friendship during the game.”