Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League
Josh Lawless
Arsenal fans are adamant that the club aimed at dig at Spurs after beating them to the signing of Eberechi Eze.
The England international appeared to be heading to North London rivals Spurs from Crystal Palace after they reportedly agreed a deal, only for Arsenal to steal a march and secure Eze's services for a fee of £67.5 million.
A boyhood Arsenal supporter who was previously in their academy, Eze took the No.10 shirt and was unveiled prior to the 5-0 win over Leeds United in the Emirates.
Arsenal's announcement video featured Ian Wright as Eze's moved mirrored him joining the Gunners from Palace at the age of 27.
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But fans also spotted that amongst all the Eze content uploaded on official channels, there was an interesting pose from the former QPR attacker.
Eze did a folding arms pose from a specific angle that was reminiscent of one Sol Campbell did after completing his highly controversial free transfer from Spurs to Arsenal back in 2001 after racking up 315 appearances across nine years.
Arsenal supporters think the club knew exactly what they were doing with the picture.
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One on X observed: "I'm sure our photographers did it on purpose. Apart from Sol, I don't remember anyone taking a photo like that when signing, from that angle .
A second remarked: "No such thing as a coincidence."
A third commented: "Arsenal are dirty for doing this."
Though he had been set to join Spurs, Eze simply had to choose Arsenal when he heard of their interest.
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Having been released at the age of 13, Eze has a second opportunity at Arsenal - who has been holding out to return even when at Palace.
“I remember the day I got released, my mum said a prayer that this reverse would happen. For me, this is a realisation of a dream that we prayed for,” Eze said.
“I thought about coming back from the moment I understood what it meant to become a pro. I’ve always thought: ‘Arsenal is where it’s at, that’s what I want to achieve, what I want to get to.’
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“I’ve been on trial for four years, if I’m being honest. Every time I came to Arsenal, I looked at the seat that I used to sit on when I used to come to games with my brothers, and I’ve said every single time: ‘This is it - it’s time, this is an opportunity.’ I’m not going to say I knew it was going to happen, but that’s the feeling.”
With Bukayo Saka out injured, Eze could make his debut for Arsenal against Premier League champions Liverpool in a huge top of the table clash at Anfield on Sunday,