Why Eberechi Eze isn't playing for Crystal Palace v Fredrikstad as Arsenal transfer looms

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is expected to join Arsenal over the coming days (Picture: Getty)

Eberechi Eze has been left out of Crystal Palace ’s matchday squad to face Fredrikstad, with a big-money transfer move to Arsenal looming.

Tonight’s Europa Conference League play-off clash had initially been billed as the last chance for Palace supporters to watch Eze in their colours when it appeared the midfielder was on his way to Tottenham.

But that all changed late on Wednesday night as Arsenal hijacked Spurs’ deal and overtook their bitter rivals as the frontrunners for Eze’s signature – a stunning twist in one of this summer’s most intriguing transfer sagas.

The Gunners’ dramatic 11th-hour bid to sign the England international progressed at a rapid pace before an agreement worth £60million – plus £7.5m in add-ons – was struck with Palace.

In the terms of their deal with Palace, Tottenham had begrudgingly agreed to the prospect of Eze playing for one last time against Norwegian minnows Fredrikstad, despite the obvious risk of injury.

But an impressive performance in Palace’s goalless draw at Chelsea last weekend will now prove to be Eze’s 169th and final appearance for the south London outfit.

According to The Sun , it was agreed with Arsenal that Eze ‘won’t be taking any risks’ by featuring against Fredrikstad, with the 27-year-old determined not to jeopardise or put his dream move to the Emirates in any doubt whatsoever.

The Palace ✅ — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 21, 2025

Spurs had been in pole position to capture the England international (Picture: Getty)

Eze has therefore been left out of Oliver Glasner’s matchday squad altogether and Eagles supporters must now get used to life without their star man who, of course, scored the winner in their historic FA Cup triumph last term .

Glasner has made a total of three changes to his team that drew at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Chris Richards and Tyrick Mitchell also making way. Jefferson Lerma, Borna Sosa and Justin Devenny all start for the first time this season.

Marc Guehi does keep his place in the starting XI and captains the side at Selhurst Park, despite ongoing discussions over a proposed switch to Liverpool before the transfer deadline.

Eze, a versatile attacking midfielder-*-winger, grew up supporting Arsenal and was released from the Gunners’ academy at the age of 13, before making the grade in senior football with QPR.

Palace fans have been denied the chance to watch Eze one last time in their colours (Picture: Getty)

@metrosportuk Arsenal through and through 🙌 Footage has resurfaced from 2018 of Eberechi Eze saying he supports Arsenal whilst he was at QPR. Now, he’s signing for the Gunners for a reported fee in excess of £60m instead of their North London rivals, Tottenham, after they hijacked his move. 🎥 / X – @journ9ale #eze #arsenal #crystalpalace #tottenham #transfernews ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

It’s understood Tottenham’s hierarchy have now set their sights of securing a deal for Aston Villa and England forward Morgan Rogers having given up all hope of landing Eze .

Palace’s opening encounter with Fredrikstad this evening – the first match of a two-legged play-off round – is the club’s first-ever match in European competition.

Glasner’s men had initially been preparing to take part in this year’s Europa League after upsetting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final.

But it was confirmed last month that the Eagles had been thrown out of Europe’s second-tier competition and would instead be playing in Europa Conference League after breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

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