by Mikel Arteta insisted that Arsenal’s dramatic movement to sign Ebelechi Eze is not a panic reaction to Kai Havertz’s knee injury.
Arteta confirmed that Havertz will miss the shock of the Premier League of Arsenal against Leeds to the Emirates on Saturday, but said that it was still too early to say how long the German international will be sidelined.
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Arsenal’s move to sign Eze for initial costs of 60 million pounds sterling – which brings its summer expenses to 250 million pounds Sterling – accelerated after the news of the Havertz injury broke out.
It is understood that Eze underwent his doctor on Friday and transfer to the Northern Londoners could be completed this weekend.
Kai Havertz (left) suffered a knee injury (Nick Potts / PA)
Although Arta has refused to confirm that Eze will join his side, the director of Arsenal denied that the recent club transfer activity was linked to Havertz in front of a sort of the touch.
“Obviously, we were very active while trying to look at the possibilities that could come,” said Arteta. “We are not reacting to anything, we have been very prepared and understand what we could do and we have decided that it’s time to do it.”
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Eze was absent from Crystal Palace’s victory in match of the Ligue 1-0 Crystal Palace League on Fredrikstad on Thursday, manager Oliver Glasner confirming that the English international had played his last match.
Eze is now ready to follow the striker Viktor Gyokerres (55 million pounds sterling), defender Crishian Mosquera (13 million pounds Sterling), midfielder Martin Zubimenddi (60 million pounds Sterling), goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (5 million pounds Sterling), midfielder Christian Norgaard) and avant-garde emirates.
This is a clear declaration of Arsenal’s intention when they were trying to win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. Arteta also seeks to end his trophy drought which dates back to the FA Cup 2020.
A member of the public takes photos of an Ebelechi Eze wall wearing an arsenal shirt, near the Emirates Stadium (Yui Mok / PA)
“We show the ambition that we are here to win major trophies and continue to evolve and improve each year and this is accompanied by requests and these requests are clear,” added Arteta.
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“And we want to be in front of the League, not only chasing or reacting or being behind, but before him and each decision that we make in all areas of the club is to reach it.”
After a three-month layoff after switch surgery, Havertz returned to the Giron with two bench appearances at the end of last season.
He came as a second half substitute in the 1-0 victory from Arsenal to Manchester United and finished the match.
Mikel Arteta Submission to end the Arsenal expectation for a title of the Premier League (Nick Potts / PA)
Arteta added: “He (Havertz) is certainly not suitable for this match. Unfortunately, he has injured and we do not yet know yet.
“We need a little more time and more tests and after that, we will have more clarity. Mentally, it is in the right place.
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“He is a really strong and very committed boy. He had an incredible recovery from hamstrings surgery. He suffered a backhand.
“Let’s see how bad it is, but I’m sure he’s going to deal with the best possible way. He has the joy of a child and I hope we will come back soon.”
