Gary Lineker has now revealed what he thinks of Arsenal’s move for Eberechi Eze, ‘I suspect…’

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Arsenal are set to complete the blockbuster signing of Eberechi Eze for £67.5 million from Crystal Palace.

The Gunners have moved swiftly and decisively in the transfer market since discovering that Kai Havertz will face a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Acknowledging that Mikel Arteta’s squad needed another forward option to cover for the loss of the German, Andrea Berta swooped in to secure Eze ahead of Tottenham.

The England international is set to undergo his medical at London Colney on Friday morning and should be in line for his debut against Liverpool at Anfield next weekend.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Gary Lineker says Eberechi Eze is a ‘great’ signing for Arsenal

The left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack has grown stale in the last 12 months.

Both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have flattered to deceive, and Arteta’s squad is in desperate need of an injection of firepower on this side.

Arsenal have subsequently turned to Eze, who was released by the Gunners at the age of 13 and is eager to return to his boyhood club.

There are some concerns that the 27-year-old isn’t a natural winger, although Gary Lineker believes that he can play off this flank for the North Londoners and excel.

“Subsequently, of course, Eberechi Eze has signed for Arsenal and not Tottenham,” Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast.

“Bit of a disaster really for Spurs to lose out. I think they thought they had their man, but Arsenal have jumped in at the last moment.

“Significant coup for them. For Spurs fans, it will be hugely disappointing, of course. It’s not the first time it has happened.

“It happened with [Morgan] Morgan Gibbs White as well, didn’t it? Very similar circumstances. So the club end up with a bit of egg on its face at the minute, particularly, of course, against their North London rivals Arsenal.

“But for Arsenal, it’s a great signing, I think. And I suspect it fills that void that they had with not that much confidence, perhaps, with [Gabriel] Martinelli among some fans at Arsenal. And I think Micah said many times that he thinks they needed someone that can play on the left.

“He can play there, of course. He can also play in the ten role if he has to. Hugely talented player, brilliant signing for Arsenal.”

Eberechi Eze’s arrival should make Leandro Trossard redundant

While Havertz’s injury may provide Trossard with a short-term lifeline, the Belgian may be somewhat surplus to requirements once the former Chelsea forward returns from his absence.

Eze takes the ex-Brighton man’s minutes on the left, meaning he drops to being the fourth-choice option off this side, behind the new signing, Martinelli and Noni Madueke.

Meanwhile, Eze’s arrival also kills any chance of Trossard featuring as the left-sided midfielder again, a role he briefly filled during the 2023/24 season.

Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Eze and arguably Havertz are all ahead of him in the pecking order in this position.

Up front, Viktor Gyokeres and Havertz start ahead of Trossard, while Merino may even be preferred to him in this position.