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Man City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: James Trafford makes horrible mistake as perfect start continues for Spurs boss Thomas Frank

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Man City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: James Trafford makes horrible mistake as perfect start continues for Spurs boss Thomas Frank - Sky Sports
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Tottenham extended their perfect start to life under new boss Thomas Frank by stunning Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad to claim their second win of the Premier League season.

Spurs have developed a reputation as City's bogey team in recent years, taking their tally of wins in the blue half of Manchester to three from their previous five meetings, which included a 4-0 thrashing last November amid City's famous collapse.

Frank's tactical approach, like predecessor Ange Postecoglou, highlighted all City's most prominent weaknesses. This is only the sixth time under Pep Guardiola that they have trailed in a home league game by two or more goals at half-time, with Tottenham now responsible for half of those.

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Spurs struck clinically on the counter via a breakaway Brennan Johnson goal, needing VAR to overturn a wrongful offside decision, before home debutant James Trafford revealed himself to be far less composed on the ball than the absent Ederson - who has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, and watched on from the bench.

Speaking about Trafford's selection post-match, Guardiola said: "James made a good first game, I made the decision for him to continue. The goalkeeper is a special position, to have more consistency in the goal, but I have learned for many years, with this amount of games everyone will play."

Trafford's howler gifted Joao Palhinha his first goal in Tottenham colours in first-half stoppage time, and, despite the reintroduction of both Phil Foden and Rodri in the second period, City were far from the creative-rich outfit that stuck four past Wolves last weekend.

The visitors came away with the points their performance deserved - an impressive response to the disappointment of having their move for Eberechi Eze hijacked by Arsenal this week - and allowed the away fans to gleefully chant "we are top of the league". How long the early-season ecstasy will last remains to be seen.

Pep bemoans lack of 'simple things'

Man City boss Pep Guardiola:

"What we miss, we miss the simple things. The effort and ability to run has been extraordinary for many years, so I don't have any doubts, it's not for a lack of energy. Trainings have been really good. But in the pressure we missed the simple things, read better what we should do.

"In the final third we create chances, it's never easy, but we create enough. It's happened, it's football, it's just the second game. Last week after Wolves people say 'ok, now everything is fine', and I say 'it's just the first game'. Many things are going to happen. I know what we're working on and the many good things I have.

"We have to improve, step by step, we will make the click, the good connections and many things are new."

On the absence of Manuel Akanji and Ilkay Gundogan: "I've said many times with a deeper squad I have to rotate. The next game maybe there will be another one. I try for everyone to be involved."

Frank lauds 'exceptional' Spurs

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank:

"Very delighted. Extremely proud of the players' performance, it was exceptionally good. The first 35 minutes were fairly even, but with Man City top. There was a big mentality shift in terms of staying in the game, and then we scored a great goal.

"Second half we were very good. We were very aggressive in the high pressure, very front-footed, with the mindset to go for the 3-0. The clean sheet makes me very happy. It's a big thing we have been working on, the defensive side of the game. You need top mentality to win games like this."

On transfer activity: "We got a few questions about the transfer market yesterday, lots of 'why nots' and 'what ifs'. But what is 100 per cent sure is we have brought two top-class players into the club in Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus. Both performed very well. Palhinha, wow, he's definitely helping the team."

On missing out on the signing of Eberechi Eze: "That's very easy. I never use any words about a player who is not at our club."

Would the real Man City please stand up

Analysis by Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

Manchester City fans will have left the Etihad on Saturday with more questions than answers after a performance that was the complete antithesis of last weekend's win over Wolves. Creative, fluid patterns were replaced by unimaginative, misplaced passes.

James Trafford's mistake will hit hardest because it led to a goal but he was far from the worst offender. City were sloppy, undone by a team who looked more confident and assured in their specific roles.

Christian Romero did a number on Erling Haaland. Joao Palhinha, who won more duels than any other player, and Rodrigo Bentancur were more assertive than Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez in midfield. Mohammed Kudus more direct in attack.

Defensively they were excellent, too, drawing particular acclaim from Thomas Frank for a 'top mentality'. No signs of Spursy Spurs here.

As for Man City, this is a confusing start. Are they back in contention as title candidates or was matchday one just a ruse? Pep Guardiola insisted his side would "make the click" - but offered no assurances as to when that might happen. Until then, we will be left to ponder what this Man City side, complete with its extravagant summer remodel, are truly capable of.

Story of the match in stats...

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Spurs boss Thomas Frank says he does not want 'players who don't want to be here' after Eberechi Eze opts for Arsenal transfer

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Spurs boss Thomas Frank says he does not want 'players who don't want to be here' after Eberechi Eze opts for Arsenal transfer - Sky Sports
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Thomas Frank said he would not sign "players who don't want to be here" after Eberechi Eze's U turn which left him on the verge of joining boyhood club Arsenal instead of Tottenham.

Although the Spurs boss refused to name individuals, his telling comments came barely 24 hours after Eze decided against joining the club in favour of moving to their north London rivals Arsenal from Crystal Palace.

As far back as last weekend, there had been suggestions Eze would not be involved in Palace's season opener at Chelsea as talks with Spurs progressed, and despite starting and seeing a goal ruled out at Stamford Bridge a deal was agreed between the two clubs earlier this week.

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That alerted Arsenal, who had enquired about the 27-year-old earlier this summer, to reignite their interest and steal an 11th-hour march on their biggest rivals, with the England winger undergoing a medical at London Colney on Friday.

Frank has made a reputation of never mentioning potential targets by name but when pressed on his frustration on missing out on another summer target, having already failed to sign Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, he said: "There's been a lot of rumours - and a lot of times where there's nothing in it. There must be someone out there who thinks it's good fun to put the rumours out there.

"There's been a lot of links and will continue to be. To be very general, I don't want any players who don't want to come to the club.

"If they don't want to come here and wear this fantastic badge, we don't want them here. That's very clear, and I imagine the fans feel exactly the same.

"That's a key message."

Frank confident of further incomings

Despite their disappointment so far this summer, bringing in only two new faces in Joao Palhinha and Mohammed Kudus, Frank said he remained confident more arrivals would be forthcoming in the final 10 days of the transfer window.

He said: "Of course, we want to do everything we can to be competitive. We have six very good front players who will be very competitive across all the competitions - and (Dejan) Kulusevski will come back this season, it's probably longer-term with (James) Maddison unfortunately.

"I'm confident though that we will sign another player before the end of the window. In general, any club wants to sign players as early as possible. If it was that easy, everyone would do it.

"I'm a positive guy, I'm not that fearful. I believe something will happen. I know the club is asking extremely hard, and unfortunately we can't go in Waitrose for five minutes and buy two very good players. It's a bit more complicated than that.

"I see the club is working hard, Daniel, Vinay and Johan - we're all on board in terms of being on board to see how we can improve."

Will Richarlison stay at Spurs?

Richarlison had been mentioned as a potential makeweight in any deal for Eze, despite the Brazilian starting both of Spurs' two games so far - and scoring a superb double in the 3-0 win over Burnley last weekend.

Whatver the reason behind those reports of his impending departure, Frank gave his own public backing to the forward when asked about his situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"Right now, Richarlison is my starting No 9," he said. "He scored two fantastic goals, had two fantastic games and is the Brazil No 9.

"He's a fantastic player, he wants to stay, I want to keep him and there's been no talks about anything else."

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Eberechi Eze Q&A: How Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace winger and what he can bring to Emirates

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Eberechi Eze Q&A: How Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace winger and what he can bring to Emirates - Sky Sports
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With Eberechi Eze heading for boyhood club Arsenal after the Gunners stole a march on north London rivals Spurs - who looked certain to sign him - what's the full story in yet another dramatic saga in one of the most memorable transfer windows ever?

At the start of Wednesday morning, Tottenham believed they had a deal agreed for the 27-year-old to join them for £67.5m, including add-ons.

But then in stepped Arsenal - who had previously had an interest in the England winger - to gazump them at the final hurdle.

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It leaves Gunners fans delighted, their left-wing problems seemingly sorted and Spurs supporters, naturally, in a state of shock at losing out on a major summer signing to their closest rivals.

How has it all played out so far, and what's next for Arsenal, Spurs and Eze?

How did Tottenham lose out on Eze so late in the day?

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

I have some sympathy for Spurs. This is not Football Manager, this is real life. I don't want to kick Spurs when they're down - I'm trying to see it from the perspective of their hierarchy.

I think they did everything they could to try to sell the club to Eze. A lot of Spurs fans are asking why they didn't trigger his release clause before Friday, but maybe they tried to do that and the player could've dragged his feet. Maybe he was keeping his options open.

Spurs fans are very angry and criticising Daniel Levy and the owners, but I think we should keep things in perspective; these kinds of things happen all the time in the window.

Ultimately, everyone knows Eze is an Arsenal fan, as are his whole family. He played for them until he was 13 when he was released.

What motivated Arsenal to strike so late?

Is this move motivated by the fact that Kai Havertz picked up this knee injury?

Or have they been really smart and avoided getting involved in a bidding war? They knew he would choose Arsenal if he had a choice - and waited for Spurs to agree a deal before they turned up at the 11th hour and matched it. I think it's a bit of both.

Today's a great day to be an Arsenal supporter. They have pulled off a real coup here. At the last minute, they matched Spurs' offer, and it's important to remember Eze himself is an Arsenal supporter.

His wish was very important in this - Arsenal matched Spurs' bid of £60m including £7.5m in add-ons. Remember, he had a release clause which expired last week which was worth up to £68m.

Arsenal have been interested in signing him all summer and their fans were crying out for them to make a move for him.

When you looked at how much business they had already done this summer you could suggest they had to sell before they brought in another player.

Why didn't Spurs trigger Eze's release clause?

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed Eze's previous release clause, of £68.5m - only £1m more than Arsenal are set to pay - expired last Friday.

Speaking after Sunday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea, which Eze started, Glasner said: "I'm quite calm, but I also know we have two weeks to go, and I know Ebs' clause is gone, so it's the club's decision, and we will see what happens."

Tottenham could have guaranteed they would have their offer accepted earlier in the window by hitting that target, but only agreed a fee for Eze after it had already expired.

So why didn't they try to trigger it? "It might've needed paying in one lump sum, said Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. "They might've waited until it expired to get a better deal."

Where next for Tottenham?

Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge:

Tottenham Hotspur moved on from Eberechi Eze once it became clear he wanted to join Arsenal and they are now focusing on other targets.

Spurs want to sign a No 10, a winger and a centre back ahead of the deadline.

Several recent reports have linked Spurs with Tyler Dibling, but this is long-standing interest. There is interest in Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche.

It could be a very busy final few weeks at Spurs and clubs are aware they are prepared to pay £60m on the desired player after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eze for similar fees.

Spurs feel they couldn't have done any more on both failed deals.

What can Eze bring to Arsenal?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

Last season, Arsenal's biggest difficulty was breaking down teams with a low block. They won only seven of 17 games where they had at least 60 per cent of the ball - picking up almost 0.4 points per game fewer than when they didn't.

In among his array of attacking talents, Eze has built a reputation as a defence breaker. Not only a technical marvel and excellent in one-on-one duels, he was one of the Premier League's best in delivering passes which broke opposition backlines last season. Only four players completed more take-ons across the Premier League in 2024/25.

He fits the bill for the defensive work rate Mikel Arteta demands, too. Eze won the ball back in the middle and defensive third more than almost any other attacking player in the Premier League last season.

Sky Sports' Paul Merson:

Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal. It's a game-changer and a perfect fit. If Arsenal had let Spurs get him, I'd have had to question what the club was doing because he's a quality player.

Arsenal struggle when teams come to the Emirates and put everyone behind the ball. Teams want to limit the space Arsenal have to play in and they have struggled to break teams down with those tactics.

We've seen it over the last few years where they have struggled to break teams down when it gets right to the business end of a game and the business end of a season.

For me, that's where Eze comes in at Arsenal. He's got the X-factor and in tight games, he has the ability to break a low block down.

Away from home, maybe he's not the answer. Against the likes of Liverpool and Man City, they may come under the cosh for a bit, and they may have to play slightly differently.

But that's why you have a big squad. At home, against the lesser teams, where they have 70 to 80 per cent of the ball, let Eze go and do what he wants because he will make something happen.

I think Arsenal win the league with Eze.

They had a chance without him because it's a real heads or tails season with Liverpool, and Man City played well on the opening weekend, but Eze helps get them over the line.

Does this mean Martinelli through the middle?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

If this late move for Eze is motivated by Havertz's injury, it stands to reason it will be someone else adding to their striking ranks because, bar a brief cameo as a false nine for England against Senegal earlier this summer, it's not a position where Eze has often featured.

It may instead mean a role change for Gabriel Martinelli, however. In fairness, the Brazilian has barely played through the middle in six years at the Emirates either, but it has long been seen as his eventual position by many Arsenal fans.

He was utilised as a No 9 against Liverpool late last season, more through necessity than design, but he showed a glimpse of what he can offer to supplement Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Havertz as an option in spearheading Arsenal's attack.

After his goalscoring exploits at Anfield, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: "I actually think in the last half of this game Martinelli showed he actually could be a really dangerous centre-forward with his runs in behind."

Source

Eberechi Eze Q&A: How Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace winger and what he can bring to Emirates

Submitted by daniel on
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Eberechi Eze Q&A: How Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace winger and what he can bring to Emirates - Sky Sports
Description

With Eberechi Eze heading for boyhood club Arsenal after the Gunners stole a march on north London rivals Spurs - who looked certain to sign him - what's the full story in yet another dramatic saga in one of the most memorable transfer windows ever?

At the start of Wednesday morning, Tottenham believed they had a deal agreed for the 27-year-old to join them for £67.5m, including add-ons.

But then in stepped Arsenal - who had previously had an interest in the England winger - to gazump them at the final hurdle.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Arsenal news & transfers🔴⚪

Got Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺

It leaves Gunners fans delighted, their left-wing problems seemingly sorted and Spurs supporters, naturally, in a state of shock at losing out on a major summer signing to their closest rivals.

How has it all played out so far, and what's next for Arsenal, Spurs and Eze?

How did Tottenham lose out on Eze so late in the day?

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

I have some sympathy for Spurs. This is not Football Manager, this is real life. I don't want to kick Spurs when they're down - I'm trying to see it from the perspective of their hierarchy.

I think they did everything they could to try to sell the club to Eze. A lot of Spurs fans are asking why they didn't trigger his release clause before Friday, but maybe they tried to do that and the player could've dragged his feet. Maybe he was keeping his options open.

Spurs fans are very angry and criticising Daniel Levy and the owners, but I think we should keep things in perspective; these kinds of things happen all the time in the window.

Ultimately, everyone knows Eze is an Arsenal fan, as are his whole family. He played for them until he was 13 when he was released.

What motivated Arsenal to strike so late?

Is this move motivated by the fact that Kai Havertz picked up this knee injury?

Or have they been really smart and avoided getting involved in a bidding war? They knew he would choose Arsenal if he had a choice - and waited for Spurs to agree a deal before they turned up at the 11th hour and matched it. I think it's a bit of both.

Today's a great day to be an Arsenal supporter. They have pulled off a real coup here. At the last minute, they matched Spurs' offer, and it's important to remember Eze himself is an Arsenal supporter.

His wish was very important in this - Arsenal matched Spurs' bid of £60m including £7.5m in add-ons. Remember, he had a release clause which expired last week which was worth up to £68m.

Arsenal have been interested in signing him all summer and their fans were crying out for them to make a move for him.

When you looked at how much business they had already done this summer you could suggest they had to sell before they brought in another player.

Why didn't Spurs trigger Eze's release clause?

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed Eze's previous release clause, of £68.5m - only £1m more than Arsenal are set to pay - expired last Friday.

Speaking after Sunday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea, which Eze started, Glasner said: "I'm quite calm, but I also know we have two weeks to go, and I know Ebs' clause is gone, so it's the club's decision, and we will see what happens."

Tottenham could have guaranteed they would have their offer accepted earlier in the window by hitting that target, but only agreed a fee for Eze after it had already expired.

So why didn't they try to trigger it? "It might've needed paying in one lump sum, said Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. "They might've waited until it expired to get a better deal."

Where next for Tottenham?

Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge:

Tottenham Hotspur moved on from Eberechi Eze once it became clear he wanted to join Arsenal and they are now focusing on other targets.

Spurs want to sign a No 10, a winger and a centre back ahead of the deadline.

Several recent reports have linked Spurs with Tyler Dibling, but this is long-standing interest. There is interest in Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche.

It could be a very busy final few weeks at Spurs and clubs are aware they are prepared to pay £60m on the desired player after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eze for similar fees.

Spurs feel they couldn't have done any more on both failed deals.

What can Eze bring to Arsenal?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

Last season, Arsenal's biggest difficulty was breaking down teams with a low block. They won only seven of 17 games where they had at least 60 per cent of the ball - picking up almost 0.4 points per game fewer than when they didn't.

In among his array of attacking talents, Eze has built a reputation as a defence breaker. Not only a technical marvel and excellent in one-on-one duels, he was one of the Premier League's best in delivering passes which broke opposition backlines last season. Only four players completed more take-ons across the Premier League in 2024/25.

He fits the bill for the defensive work rate Mikel Arteta demands, too. Eze won the ball back in the middle and defensive third more than almost any other attacking player in the Premier League last season.

Sky Sports' Paul Merson:

Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal. It's a game-changer and a perfect fit. If Arsenal had let Spurs get him, I'd have had to question what the club was doing because he's a quality player.

Arsenal struggle when teams come to the Emirates and put everyone behind the ball. Teams want to limit the space Arsenal have to play in and they have struggled to break teams down with those tactics.

We've seen it over the last few years where they have struggled to break teams down when it gets right to the business end of a game and the business end of a season.

For me, that's where Eze comes in at Arsenal. He's got the X-factor and in tight games, he has the ability to break a low block down.

Away from home, maybe he's not the answer. Against the likes of Liverpool and Man City, they may come under the cosh for a bit, and they may have to play slightly differently.

But that's why you have a big squad. At home, against the lesser teams, where they have 70 to 80 per cent of the ball, let Eze go and do what he wants because he will make something happen.

I think Arsenal win the league with Eze.

They had a chance without him because it's a real heads or tails season with Liverpool, and Man City played well on the opening weekend, but Eze helps get them over the line.

Does this mean Martinelli through the middle?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

If this late move for Eze is motivated by Havertz's injury, it stands to reason it will be someone else adding to their striking ranks because, bar a brief cameo as a false nine for England against Senegal earlier this summer, it's not a position where Eze has often featured.

It may instead mean a role change for Gabriel Martinelli, however. In fairness, the Brazilian has barely played through the middle in six years at the Emirates either, but it has long been seen as his eventual position by many Arsenal fans.

He was utilised as a No 9 against Liverpool late last season, more through necessity than design, but he showed a glimpse of what he can offer to supplement Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Havertz as an option in spearheading Arsenal's attack.

After his goalscoring exploits at Anfield, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: "I actually think in the last half of this game Martinelli showed he actually could be a really dangerous centre-forward with his runs in behind."

Source

Eberechi Eze Q&A: How Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace winger and what he can bring to Emirates

Submitted by daniel on
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Remote Image
Eberechi Eze Q&A: How Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur to Crystal Palace winger and what he can bring to Emirates - Sky Sports
Description

With Eberechi Eze heading for boyhood club Arsenal after the Gunners stole a march on north London rivals Spurs - who looked certain to sign him - what's the full story in yet another dramatic saga in one of the most memorable transfer windows ever?

At the start of Wednesday morning, Tottenham believed they had a deal agreed for the 27-year-old to join them for £67.5m, including add-ons.

But then in stepped Arsenal - who had previously had an interest in the England winger - to gazump them at the final hurdle.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Arsenal news & transfers🔴⚪

Got Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱

Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺

It leaves Gunners fans delighted, their left-wing problems seemingly sorted and Spurs supporters, naturally, in a state of shock at losing out on a major summer signing to their closest rivals.

How has it all played out so far, and what next for Arsenal, Spurs and Eze?

How did Tottenham lose out on Eze so late in the day?

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

I have some sympathy for Spurs. This is not Football Manager, this is real life. I don't want to kick Spurs when they're down - I'm trying to see it from the perspective of their hierarchy.

I think they did everything they could to try to sell the club to Eze. A lot of Spurs fans are asking why they didn't trigger his release clause before Friday, but maybe they tried to do that and the player could've dragged his feet. Maybe he was keeping his options open.

Spurs fans are very angry and criticising Daniel Levy and the owners, but I think we should keep things in perspective; these kind of things happen all the time in the window.

Ultimately, everyone knows Eze is an Arsenal fan, as are his whole family. He played for them until he was 13 when he was released.

What motivated Arsenal to strike so late?

Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

Is this move motivated by the fact that Kai Havertz picked up this knee injury?

Or have they been really smart and avoided getting involved in a bidding war? They knew he would choose Arsenal if he had a choice - and waited for Spurs to agree a deal before they turn up at the 11th hour and matched it. I think it's a bit of both.

Today's a great day to be an Arsenal supporter. They have pulled off a real coup here. At the last minute, they matched Spurs' offer, and it's important to remember Eze himself is an Arsenal supporter.

His wish was very important in this - Arsenal matched Spurs' bid of £60m including £7.5m in add-ons. Remember, he had a release clause which expired last week which was worth up to £68m.

Arsenal have been interested in signing him all summer and their fans were crying out for them to make a move for him.

When you looked at how much business they had already done this summer you could suggest they had to sell before they brought in another player.

Why didn't Spurs trigger Eze's release clause?

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner confirmed Eze's previous release clause, of £68.5m - only £1m more than Arsenal are set to pay - expired last Friday.

Speaking after Sunday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea, which Eze started, Glasner said: "I'm quite calm, but I also know, we have two weeks to go, and I know Ebs' clause is gone, so it's the club's decision, and we will see what happens."

Tottenham could have guaranteed they would have their offer accepted earlier in the window by hitting that target, but only agreed a fee for Eze after it had already expired.

So why didn't they try to trigger it? "It might've needed paying in one lump sum, said Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol. "They might've waited until it expired to get a better deal."

What can Eze bring to Arsenal?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

Last season, Arsenal's biggest difficulty was breaking down teams with a low block. They won only seven of 17 games where they had at least 60 per cent of the ball - picking up almost 0.4 points per game fewer than when they didn't.

In among his array of attacking talents, Eze has built a reputation as a defence breaker. Not only a technical marvel and excellent in one-on-one duels, he was one of the Premier League's best in delivering passes which broke opposition backlines last season. Only four players completed more take-ons across the Premier League in 2024/25.

He fits the bill for the defensive workrate Mikel Arteta demands too. Eze won the ball back in the middle and defensive third more than almost any other attacking player in the Premier League last season.

Sky Sports' Paul Merson:

Eze is a brilliant signing for Arsenal. It's a game-changer and a perfect fit. If Arsenal had let Spurs get him, I'd have had to have question what the club was doing because he's a quality player.

Arsenal struggle when teams come to the Emirates and put everyone behind the ball. Teams want to limit the space Arsenal have to play in and they have struggled to break teams down with those tactics.

We've seen it over the last few years where they have struggled to break teams down when it gets right to the business end of a game and the business end of a season.

For me, that's where Eze comes in at Arsenal. He's got the x-factor and in tight games he has the ability to break a low block down.

Away from home, maybe he's not the answer. Against the likes of Liverpool and Man City, they may come under the cosh for a bit, and they may have to play slightly differently.

But that's why you have a big squad. At home, against the lesser teams, where they have 70 to 80 per cent of the ball, let Eze go and do what he wants because he will make something happen.

I think Arsenal win the league with Eze.

They had a chance without him because it's a real heads or tails season with Liverpool, and Man City played well on the opening weekend, but Eze help get them over the line.

Does this mean Martinelli through the middle?

Sky Sports' Ron Walker:

If this late move for Eze is motivated by Havertz's injury, it stands to reason it will be someone else adding to their striking ranks because bar a brief cameo as a false nine for England against Senegal earlier this summer, it's not a position where Eze has often featured.

It may instead mean a role change for Gabriel Martinelli, however. In fairness, the Brazilian has barely played through the middle in six years at the Emirates either, but it has long-been seen as his eventual position by many Arsenal fans.

He was utilised as a No 9 against Liverpool late last season, more through necessity than design, but he showed a glimpse of what he can offer to supplement Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Havertz as an option in spearheading Arsenal's attack.

After his goalscoring exploits at Anfield, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: "I actually think in the last half of this game Martinelli showed he actually could be a real dangerous centre-forward with his runs in behind."

Where next for Tottenham?

In terms of Tottenham's summer, it's been a hit-and-miss transfer window to date. Mohammed Kudus has hit the ground running and looks an excellent option on the right flank, but this is another target Thomas Frank's side have missed out on.

Spurs made an approach for Savinho last week but Man City value the Brazilian at more than £50m. Pep Guardiola insinuated on Friday the winger had not told him he wanted to leave the club, as the Man City boss is renowned for selling any player who doesn't want to be at the Etihad. However, he was absent from the squad for their 4-0 win over Wolves on Saturday evening.

Elsewhere Morgan Gibbs-White chose to sign a new deal at Nottingham Forest instead of join Spurs last month and, after seemingly failing to sign Eze, Sky Sports News understands Spurs are still in the market for a No 10, left winger and a left-sided centre-back - with 11 days of the transfer window remaining.

Source