Eberechi Eze reveals mum's role in £67.5m Arsenal transfer and makes 'trial' claim

Eberechi Eze revealed how his mum’s prayers have been answered by his £67.5m move to Arsenal. Eze, 27, gave a heart-warming story of how his mum dreamed of this moment when he was released by Arsenal aged 13 after he spent five years in the club’s academy.

Eze grew up as an Arsenal fan and admitted that he has felt like he was “on trial” on each of the four times he has played at the Emirates for Crystal Palace because he was so desperate to sign for his boyhood heroes.

England star Eze said: "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 prayer that we prayed for. This is deeper than anyone can understand. I can see God's hand in it, so I know it's meant to be.

"I thought about coming back from the moment I understood other clubs and 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.’

"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.’

READ MORE: Eberechi Eze's last-minute phone call with Mikel Arteta and Arsenal signing's telling response

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“I'm not going to say I knew it was going to happen, but that's the feeling. As a player, I have a level of belief in myself. I've been playing how I've been playing, I've been developing this and that, and I had the heart that if it’s meant to be, it will happen, and I believe it will.”

Eze snubbed Tottenham to sign for Arsenal last week and enjoyed being presented to the crowd at the Emirates during the club’s 5-0 win over Leeds on Saturday.

It followed a summer-long pursuit by Arsenal and sporting director Andrea Berta really stepped it up when they could see Spurs were keen to sign the attacking midfielder from Palace.

Eze, who will wear the No10 shirt, revealed his phone call with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, what was said to convince him it was the right move and why he believes he can win trophies with Arsenal.

Talking to Arsenal legend Ian Wright on the club website, Eze said: “I've walked out at Emirates Stadium before, but not as an Arsenal player. So to be on the other side, wearing the number 10… if you were to ask me where I want to be at this age, this is it.

“It's a privilege and an honour, because I know the names that have worn this shirt before me. I see this opportunity as something that's like a blessing, so just to be able to be here, I'm going to give everything I have to pay back this type of respect.

“I can see his (Arteta’s) energy, I can see the level of passion that he has. That's everything I need, I know that, I can see that. Andrea Berta as well, I know they're going to make me better.

“There were talks about position, but as long as I'm on the pitch and given the opportunity to play and express myself in that environment, then it doesn't matter where I'm playing. Of course, he has ideas and things that he wants, but for me, I'm free.

“I just want to win, I want to win whatever's there. I feel like I've got a taste for it now, and to contribute, to give whatever I can to help the team win. I'm on it. That's my mentality.

“I've seen what it means, I've seen what you can do, not just to your teammates and the staff but I can see what you can do to people when you win, when you bring that type of joy to the place. So to be part of that, that's my aim.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also hopeful that Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard will not face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after they both limped off against Leeds.

Saka suffered a hamstring injury and Odegaard hurt his shoulder but early checks are hopeful they will not be out for a long term, although it remains to be seen whether they can fit to face Liverpool next weekend. Odegaard has pulled out of a club event for supporters at the Emirates on Monday.

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