Gary Neville thought Eberechi Eze had taken a dig at Tottenham Hotspur shortly after he was unveiled as a new Arsenal player. The Gunners announced the 27-year-old attacking midfielder’s transfer from Crystal Palace shortly before their clash against Leeds United.
Eze was given a rowdy standing ovation when he walked out at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The England international soaked up the atmosphere as he applauded the supporters for their warm reception.
After walking out on to the pitch in an Arsenal jersey, Eze changed his shirt before taking a seat in a box. The former Tottenham target pulled on a black top with white writing on the front, which read ‘SPIRIT’. When the television cameras panned to Eze, Neville thought the wording said, ‘SPURS’. Speaking on Sky Sports from the gantry, the Manchester United legend said: “Does that say Spurs?
Neville and Rob Hawthorne, who were commentating on the game, shared a laugh before turning their attention back to the action. Eze was, of course, heavily linked with a switch to Tottenham, before the Gunners swooped in and secured his signature.
Speaking to club media, after hijacking their north London rivals’ deal with Crystal Palace, Andrea Berta expressed his delight with the move. ThArsenal sporting director said: “We’re so pleased to have completed this deal to bring Eberechi to Arsenal.
“Eberechi is a creative and explosive talent with huge technical quality, also a big-game player with his experience at international level with England also underlining his quality and character.
“There has been excellent teamwork – across the club – to make this transfer happen and we are very confident Eberechi will be an important addition to our squad as we continue to build for success.”
Meanwhile, Arteta said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal. He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game.
“What stands out, just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked throughout his career to get where he is today. His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team, and we love how much it means to him and his family to be joining our club.
“We all look forward to start working with Eberechi soon.”
Eze poured his heart out on social media shortly before his choice of t-shirt raised eyebrows in the gantry. The new Arsenal signing said: “Five years, man. Crazy.
“It feels like just yesterday I was walking through the doors joining from QPR.
“The day that you gave me the chance to realise my dream of playing in the Premier League, for South London’s biggest club. From the start, I had goals set and my targets in place, for what I wanted to achieve here at Palace, but I had no idea of what these last five years would really turn out to be.
“They call us a family club, because it’s impossible to truly understand what it’s like to be part of this club unless you’re in it. They’re not wrong. Throughout the challenges of the Covid times, from the day I tore my Achilles and the long road of recovery to that night at Selhurst Park against Villa when I came back, up until this very day, the love you have all shown me, the way you have all supported me, and how we’ve stood together, no matter what, these are things that will live in my heart forever.
“And that’s all before we made history together, lol. Wembley, man… That whole journey. Words aren’t enough to describe what we all experienced that day so I’m not gunna try, but what I will say is that God did something for us that will connect us all for generations.
“The most special day of my career, because God gave us what no one thought was possible for us! So after all of this, all I really want to say is thank you.
“Thank you for believing in me, thank you for giving me a chance, and thank you for the love shared that will last a lifetime. Up the Palace. God Bless, Ebz.”
