Mikel Arteta confirms Eberechi Eze phoned him to secure dream Arsenal transfer after nearly joining rivals Tottenham

Arteta was asked about the phone call with Eze after Saturday evening's 5-0 victory over Leeds United, where the Gunners' new signing was unveiled in front of his new supporters following confirmation of a £67.5 million ($91m) move from Crystal Palace.

The Athletic first revealed that Eze had called the Arsenal boss in a final hope to find out if a move to the Emirates was still possible. If the answer was not positive, he may have been a Spurs player by now. But once the Gunners were back at the table, due in part to an injury to Kai Havertz, a move to hijack the Lilywhites' deal was finalised within 24 hours.

Arteta said, when asked if it was true Eze called him: "That shows you how much he wanted to come. It's very different sometimes because you want to be very open and transparent with the players as they have to make decisions in their careers but I'm delighted to have him. I'm delighted to have him, I can tell how much it means to him and his whole family."

Eze could make his Arsenal debut at Anfield in a true baptism of fire on August 31, as last season's top two face off in an intense early-season clash. While the 27-year-old will no doubt relish every opportunity to play for his boyhood club after making his dream move, the chance to affect the game against a direct title rival will be an impact Eze would be eager to make - particularly if the Gunners are without injured pair Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.