Martin Keown shares what he thought of Eberechi Eze after meeting him in person, ‘I recalled…’

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Martin Keown has revealed what he thought of new Arsenal signing Eberechi Eze after meeting him in person.

Eze signed for Arsenal last week, joining from Crystal Palace for a fee in the region of £67.5 million.

The 27-year-old garnered interest from the Gunners after enjoying an exceptional season with the Eagles in 2024/25, scoring 14 goals and registering 12 assists across all competitions.

Expected to compete with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left, Eze is also in contention to take some minutes off Martin Odegaard in midfield.

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Martin Keown says he was ‘incredibly impressed’ by Eberechi Eze when he met him

Eze instantly arrives at Arsenal as one of Mikel Arteta’s best players.

The creative midfielder was outstanding for Palace last term, and will bring technical quality and flair to a Gunners attack that has become somewhat sterile over the last 12 months.

Eze may also bring more set-piece mastery to the North Londoners, with the England international seemingly taking corners and free-kicks in training this week.

However, the former Palace man’s quality on the pitch isn’t the only thing that attracted Arteta and Andrea Berta to the player.

Known to be an infectiously positive character, ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has verified that Eze is indeed an impressive personality.

“I was incredibly impressed when I met him a couple of years ago at Crystal Palace’s training ground while visiting my former team-mate Patrick Vieira, the manager at the time,” Keown wrote for the Sunday Times.

“Eze had been in and out of the team and we were discussing the mentality you need to have a successful career. I recalled some advice Graham Taylor had given me at Villa, that no matter what club you play for, you have to make your mark.

“You want to be the kind of player that is remembered long after they have left. I always trained like I played because I did not want to waste a single day of what is a short career.

“Eze is not going to be forgotten at Selhurst Park in a hurry. He departs as the match-winner in the FA Cup final and with a Community Shield medal. He’s got that taste for trophies, and his aim now has to be to become an all-time great at Arsenal.

What Martin Keown thinks Eberechi Eze will bring to Arsenal

It’s clear from Keown’s kind words and from the general perception around the player that Eze will have a positive impact on Arsenal’s dressing room.

However, more importantly, the maverick forward will also massively improve the optionality and quality of the Gunners’ attack.

Boasting impressive shooting and take-on numbers, Eze will be more direct than some of the existing attackers in Arteta’s squad, who have become accustomed to slotting into a controlled and sterile system.

“Eze is a major piece in Mikel Arteta’s jigsaw,” Keown wrote.

“He is a game-changer. At times over the past three years, Arsenal have been a bit predictable, but in Eze, they have a player who takes risks and finds solutions.

“He can see a pass. He has an eye for goal. If defenders sit off, he is not afraid to hit it from distance with that crisp, powerful shot.”