"We are absolutely delighted to bring Eberechi to Arsenal," Arteta said in a club statement. "He is a powerful and exciting player who will give us a new dimension in our attacking game. "What stands out just as much as his talent and intelligence as a player, is the way he has worked hard throughout his career to get where he is today.

Arsenal pounced to beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to a deal on Wednesday, matching the Spurs offer and persuading Eze to join them instead. Spurs hadn’t finalised their agreement due to Palace wanting Eze to play the first leg of a Conference League play-off, which he subsequently didn’t feature in anyway.

Arteta and Eze had a conversation at the end of June, when Arsenal first explored a potential deal for the 27-year-old Crystal Palace pl