Eberechi Ezeadmits he was ‘prepared’ to joinTottenhambefore his ‘dream’ move toArsenal.
England forward Eze looked set to joinThomas Frank’s Spurs fromCrystal Palaceand hadagreed personal terms over the move.
But Arsenalhijacked Tottenham’s move at the last minuteto bring him to the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth more than £60m.
Eze has only scored one goal for new club Arsenal but has helped the Gunners climb to the top of thePremier Leagueand enjoy a perfect start to theChampions Leaguegroup phase.
The 27-year-old was ‘prepared’ to join Spurs, who only finished 17th in the Premier League last season but are playing in the Champions League courtesy of theirEuropa Leaguewin, but had no hesitating rejecting Tottenham for Arsenal.
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Eze spent five years in the Arsenal academy as a child before being released at the age of 13 and ending up at QPR before his successful spell at Crystal Palace.
‘I was prepared to go to Tottenham, but from the moment Arsenal came, it was always going to be them,’ Eze said ahead ofSunday’s clash against his former club Palace.
‘My first [senior] Arsenal game was special. It almost didn’t feel real because it’s something I’ve been dreaming of for a long time.
‘Playing for Arsenal from eight to 13, it’s been in the back of my mind wanting to go back. It felt like the realisation of a dream.’
Arsenal have won six games in a row ahead of Sunday’s clash against London rivals Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunnersthumped Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League during the weekin a result that was widely described as a ‘statement’.
Crystal Palace have largely impressed under Oliver Glasner, winning the FA Cup last season and recently enjoying a 19-match unbeaten run.
But the Eagles have lost two of their last three games ahead of the trip to north London to face Premier League title favourites Arsenal.
Palace’s impressive unbeaten run was ended by David Moyes’ Everton before the international break and the south Londoners were also beaten by Cypriot side AEK Larnaca on Thursday night.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late goalearned Palace a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in this fixture last season.
Arsenalthrashed Crystal Palace 5-1 away from home, with injured striker Gabriel Jesus scoring twice, and also beat the Eagles in the Carabao Cup.
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