Eberechi Eze reveals he almost signed for Spurs before choosing Arsenal

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Arsenal’s summer signing Eberechi Eze has disclosed he was on the verge of joining crosstown rivals Tottenham Hotspur before the Gunners swooped in to fulfill a lifelong ambition.

The 27-year-old England international, who rejoined Arsenal in August after being released by the club as a teenager, told The Athletic that Tottenham had been a viable option, but Arsenal’s interest made the decision a no-brainer.

“I was prepared to go to Tottenham,  but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them,” Eze said, capturing the emotional weight of the move in an interview that has since rippled through the Premier League’s transfer grapevine.

Eze’s £67.5 million transfer from Crystal Palace, completed on August 23 after Arsenal hijacked Tottenham’s advanced negotiations, marked a dramatic U-turn in what was shaping up to be a straightforward deal for Spurs.

The midfielder, known for his silky dribbling, vision, and penchant for the spectacular, had been a cornerstone at Selhurst Park since 2020, amassing 20 goals and 15 assists in the Premier League.

Yet, beneath the accolades lay a personal narrative tied inextricably to Arsenal: Eze grew up idolizing the club’s halcyon Invincibles era and even trained in their youth academy before a release at age 16 that could have soured the romance forever.

“Playing for Arsenal is more like a show or theatre. There’s more pressure, playing for titles, but it’s something I’ve dreamed of,” Eze elaborated, framing the Emirates as a stage where glory demands perfection.

This poetic framing resonates deeply in a city divided by the North London Derby, where Eze’s choice not only bolsters Mikel Arteta’s squad but also stings Tottenham, who had reportedly agreed personal terms and were poised to integrate him into Ange Postecoglou’s high-octane system.

The hijack, confirmed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano in late August, exposed the raw rivalries that simmer beneath the Premier League’s polished surface.

Since arriving, Eze has wasted no time justifying Arsenal’s investment. Thrust into a squad chasing a first Premier League title since 2004, he has adapted with the poise of a veteran, contributing three goals and assists across his early outings despite missing preseason.

Arteta has deployed him fluidly as a left-winger against Nottingham Forest, a central midfielder maestro versus Newcastle, and even in deeper screening roles, praising his “super intelligent” assimilation and chess-like foresight on the pitch.

Fans and pundits alike have marveled at his seamless integration, with one observer noting his “technical brilliance” and “deep football intelligence” have already elevated Arsenal’s attacking fluidity.

Yet, Eze hints at untapped potential. In a recent tease, he alluded to a “secret weapon” yet to be unveiled, suggesting the creative spark that dazzled at Palace could evolve into something transformative under Arteta’s tactical microscope.