Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Parish has shared his thoughts on Eberechi Eze after the Arsenal midfielder scored against his former club on Sunday.
Eze joined Arsenal for £67.5 million in the summer, leaving the club that had signed him from the Championship and had given him a platform to excel in the Premier League.
Enjoying a relatively impressive start at the Emirates, the England international opened his account in the league in a red and white shirt on Sunday afternoon against Palace.
Waiting for the ball to drop inside the penalty area, Eze acrobatically slammed past Dean Henderson, giving the North Londoners all three points.
Steve Parish reveals his thoughts on Eberechi Eze
Eze left Palace as a legend.
The creative midfielder made 169 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 40 goals and leading them to their first-ever major trophy in the form of the FA Cup last May.
He departed Selhurst Park on good terms, with the fans holding fond memories of his contribution to their football club.
However, this could all have changed had he produced an overly emotional celebration against Oliver Glasner’s side on Sunday afternoon.
Instead, Eze’s celebration was muted, and the good blood between him and Palace remained. Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, Palace owner Parish spoke highly of his former player, claiming that he has nothing but ‘love’ for him.
“We all wish him the absolute best,” he said.
“He went at a time of his career where he really should go. He’s playing for the league title.
“He’s playing for the Champions League, you know, and that’s what we hope to deliver as a club for now. Maybe one day that changes. Maybe one day it’s us.
“Maybe one day we’re the destination. But right now, we realise we’re probably part of the journey for some of these guys. I don’t feel anything other than love for him.”
Eberechi Eze looked better off the left for Arsenal against Brighton
For Arsenal, it’s about getting the best out of their marquee new signing now that he’s at their disposal.
Eze has struggled somewhat in a central role, as he’s been tasked with replacing Martin Odegaard’s creativity as the right eight.
However, the Gunners got a glimpse of what the former Palace man could do on the left when Odegaard returns, with a strong showing from out wide against Brighton on Wednesday.
Able to see more of the pitch from the touchline, Eze looked far more dynamic operating on the left-hand side. The angles that coming from this flank seemed to create suit his skillset, and he was dangerous almost every time he received the ball.
When the Norwegian playmaker is back in action, it would be no surprise to see Eze switch to the left more regularly, and this could unlock more from the 27-year-old Englishman.
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