Oliver Glasner shares what Eberechi Eze told him on the phone ahead of Fredrikstad clash after sealing Arsenal move

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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has shared why Arsenal-bound Eberechi Eze is not playing for the Eagles in the Europa Conference League playoff first-leg meeting with Fredrikstad.

Arsenal have successfully swooped in for Eze, getting the deal done in a matter of hours on Wednesday evening.

Fabrizio Romano duly declared “here we go” on Eze to Arsenal, with David Ornstein reporting that a £68million package had been agreed.

It was expected that Eze would play his final Palace match against Fredrikstad, but that was not the case.

READ MORE: Jamie O’Hara reacts after hearing Arsenal are set to beat Tottenham to Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze did ‘not feel well enough to play’

Glasner, speaking on Channel 5 ahead of the first leg at Selhurst Park, admitted that he expected Eberechi Eze to start for Palace against Fredrikstad.

However, the manager revealed that Eze called him and told him he did not feel well enough to play in the match.

“I expected that he would start today for us but he called me this morning and said he does not feel well to play the game,” said Glasner, via BBC Sport.

“I have to accept it and everything else you will have to ask the chairman.

“If a player tells me he is not ready to play then we have to accept it.

“I called the player who starts instead but he is ready, it is my responsibility to prepare the players that play for us in the best way.

“So it was a quite busy day. It is not what you want to do, to change the starting 11 on matchday.

“Especially in this situation, the first time in European football for Crystal Palace, but we have to approach the game in the best way.”

READ MORE: David Ornstein shares what he’s hearing about Arsenal’s PSR situation after spending £68m on Eberechi Eze

Why it’s best for Eberechi Eze to miss out on Crystal Palace vs Fredrikstad game

Even if Eze was feeling well enough to play against Fredrikstad, it would not have been wise for him to play.

Palace, Arsenal and Eze have struck a deal which is obviously in the best interests of all three parties and, as such, it’s best to reduce any potential risks to the deal.

Injury is obviously an occupational hazard in football, and while every match brings risks with it, this is accepted as part and parcel of the game – indeed, of any physical or sporting activity.

However, exposing a player to injury – by playing him in a competitive match – when a multimillion deal rests on him passing a medical test would not be the smartest move.