Meant to be? Eberechi Eze reveals Arsenal legend was his favourite player to watch growing up as Crystal Palace talisman prepares to complete £67.5m Gunners transfer

For Eze, the move to Arsenal marks a homecoming of sorts. The player was once part of Arsenal’s youth system before being released at the age of 13, a decision that left him heartbroken. In fact, the setback was so painful that Eze admitted to spending a week crying in his bedroom. 

Despite his early heartbreak, Eze never lost his passion for the Gunners. In fact, his love for the club only grew, with the 27-year-old revealing in an interview earlier this year that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was his childhood hero.

"[Thierry] Henry was number one. Henry and Ronaldinho. Those were the two on YouTube you were watching," Eze told Sign Up - Into Football, back in January.

"These are the guys you grow up watching. They enjoy what they're doing, they love what they're doing, they have a passion for it, and that inspires. I feel like those have been the guys that I've looked up to for as long as I remember."

For Arsenal, securing Eze is a statement of intent. After a strong showing last season, the Gunners are determined to build on their progress and mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title this year. And the timing of the deal is particularly interesting, as Arsenal could now field Eze in one of the biggest fixtures of the season: their upcoming trip to defending champions Liverpool on August 31.