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Arsenal have managed to outmanoeuvre fierce rivals Tottenham, all but securing the services of Eberechi Eze, and Mikel Arteta could offer the Crystal Palace star his coveted No. 10 shirt.
On Wednesday evening, the Gunners made a swift and seemingly successful move for former academy star and boyhood supporter Eze, agreeing in principle to a deal worth approximately £68million. Spurs chief Daniel Levy had negotiated a deal worth £50m plus £10m in add-ons, while Arsenal will pay £60m and £7.5m in add-ons. The relationship between Steve Parish and Arsenal's executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis has propelled the Gunners to the front of the queue, with the England international choosing Arsenal.
Eze hopes to play one final time for Palace in their Conference League play-off against Norwegian team Fredrikstad on Thursday night before undergoing a medical with Arteta's side. However, Oliver Glasner may be forced to withdraw him from the squad to avoid any risk of injury. Upon his arrival in north London, Arsenal can present him with the perfect welcome gift, his preferred No. 10 shirt.
The 27-year-old forward had been pursued by Thomas Frank's Tottenham for some time, and a deal that would have seen Eze make the move seemed likely. However, an injury to Arsenal's Kai Havertz, who now looks set for an extended period on the sidelines, saw the Gunners re-enter the race for Eze, who they had previously admired.
Palace were swiftly contacted, and Arsenal stated they would now pay a fee that had been agreed almost a fortnight earlier. Personal terms posed no issues, reports the Mirror.
Now, it appears highly probable that Eze will sport the No. 10 when he inevitably arrives at the Emirates, a number he has donned since his stint at Queens Park Rangers.
Eze initially began wearing the No. 10 during QPR's 2018/19 Championship campaign. He was originally handed the No. 25 following his £17m switch to Palace in 2020, but after merely one season into his spell, the No. 10 became his.
Arsenal's No. 10 shirt remains available, having last been worn by another English prospect, Emile Smith Rowe. Prior to him, Mesut Ozil was bestowed the honour, whilst the likes of Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp have also sported the iconic number.
Eze will join fresh signings Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and striker Viktor Gyokeres in north London, as the Gunners target the Premier League crown.
Head coach Arteta believes that this top-flight season will be the most challenging they've encountered, though. They have finished runners-up in each of the last three campaigns.
"The competition in the league now is like nothing we've seen before," Arteta told Sky Sports. "We all know that to win the Premier League you're going to have to be absolutely excellent. The level that is going to be required is going to be something we haven't experienced yet and we all want to win it.
"The level of the managers, the consistency of the squads that have been together now for years, the way they increased their potential in the squads, the understanding between players, quality they have brought, for sure it's going to be the most difficult.
"We need more points, that's clear," he continued, reflecting on the past three years of disappointment. "We have more points than any other team in the Premier League in the last three seasons and we haven't won the Premier League.
"But that means we've done so many things right. We missed a few points in one of the seasons, and that's what we're going to try to do to be better."
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