Eberechi Eze finally walked out at the Emirates Stadium as an Arsenal player before their meeting with Leeds United, realising the ambition he had carried since childhood. The winger, who has never hidden his love for the north London club, grew up surrounded by Arsenal’s culture within his family and often imagined himself following the path of the heroes he once admired.
During his years at Crystal Palace, Eze had already performed four times on the same ground, even registering a goal in the 2-2 draw earlier this year. Yet, by his own admission, those appearances were less about Palace and more about catching Arsenal’s eye. “Every time I came here, I thought of it as an audition,” he told Ian Wright after completing his move.
He described how each visit reminded him of the seat he used to occupy as a young fan attending matches with his brothers. In his words, those occasions always felt like a moment to show he belonged at Arsenal, even if he never fully believed it was inevitable.
Belief, guidance, and teammates
Reflecting on his journey, Eze explained that he has always trusted his own ability, accepting that his career would unfold as it was meant to. For him, finally being in an Arsenal shirt is the reward for years of work and a boost of fresh motivation: “I knew if it was meant to be, it would happen. To see it happen now gives me even more fuel,” he said.
He also revealed how his discussions with head coach Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta convinced him of the club’s vision. He sees their leadership as vital to helping him reach another level in his game. “The passion is obvious. I know they will make me better,” he noted.
Another source of comfort for the players is reuniting with familiar faces. Training and competing alongside England internationals is not only encouraging, but also ensures he is constantly tested by elite standards. As he explained, playing alongside trusted teammates will make the transition smoother and keep pushing him to grow.
While there have been conversations about his exact role on the pitch, Eze insists his focus is simply on contributing wherever he is placed. He values the chance to play freely, confident that he can adapt to Arteta’s instructions while maintaining his own style.
A winning mentality and recent triumphs
The current year has already been significant for the 26-year-old. In March, he scored his first international goal at Wembley, before netting again in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Aston Villa. His biggest moment came soon after, when his strike in the final sealed the club’s first major trophy.
That success was followed by Palace’s Community Shield triumph, giving Eze a taste of silverware before his switch to north London. Now, he is eager to add to his collection with Arsenal, driven by the same joy he once experienced as a fan in the stands.
His ambition is clear: “I just want to win. I want to win everything that’s available,” he declared. He believes that lifting trophies brings more than individual satisfaction—it spreads happiness through the squad, the staff, and especially the supporters. For Eze, being part of that shared emotion is the ultimate goal.
