Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club’s imminent capture of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace underlines their determination to end a 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
Eze looked set for a move across north London to Tottenham before Arsenal swooped, reportedly agreeing a £60m fee plus £7.5m in add-ons for the England international.
His arrival would take the Gunners’ summer spending to around £260m following deals for Viktor Gyökeres, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Nørgaard and Noni Madueke.
Arsenal have finished runners-up in each of the past three seasons, but last lifted silverware five years ago, Arteta believes the club’s transfer strategy reflects their ambition.
“We are showing the ambition that we are here to win major trophies and to keep evolving and improving every single year, and that comes with demands,” Arteta said on Friday ahead of Leeds’ visit to the Emirates Stadium. “We want to be in front in the league, not just chasing or reacting, but leading it.”
The Eze deal came hours after Kai Havertz was ruled out with a knee injury, but Arteta insisted the move was long-planned.
“We are not reacting to anything. We’ve been very prepared and decided this is the moment to do it.”
Eze, 27, began his career at Arsenal’s academy and is reportedly eager to return to his boyhood club. Arteta believes that emotional connection can be decisive.
“The better the feeling, the stronger the feeling, the better. It brings a different edge, a different will and emotion to what you do.”
Arsenal opened their league campaign with a 1-0 win at Manchester United and host newly promoted Leeds United on Saturday.