What Arsenal must do to ensure Eberechi Eze can play against Leeds United on Saturday

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Arsenal are incredibly close to signing Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

The Gunners pulled off a late hijack on Wednesday evening just as it seemed like the England international was heading to Tottenham – Arsenal will pay around £68m for the man born in Greenwich.

Eze will play for Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League clash against Fredrikstad on Thursday in his final game for the club, a detail Steve Parish negotiated as part of the deal.

However, what needs to happen for Eberechi Eze to be available for Arsenal against Leeds United on Saturday? Let’s take a look.

12pm deadline must be adhered to by Arsenal when registering Eberechi Eze

The Standard believe Arsenal need to have the Londoner registered to feature in the Premier League before 12pm on Friday for the 27-year-old to be eligible to face Leeds United.

Eze must also – of course – pass his medical, which is set to take place after the aforementioned UEFA Conference League clash.

If both of these factors cannot be arranged before 12pm on Friday, the attacking midfielder would potentially make his Arsenal debut in the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday 31st August.

Eberechi Eze already has a very obvious shirt number waiting for him at Arsenal

It always adds to an exciting signing when a leading shirt number is vacant for them, which is exactly the case at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have not reassigned the No.10 shirt to anybody else since selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham in August 2024, so it is there waiting for Eze to slip into – having previously worn the number at QPR and Crystal Palace.

Viktor Gyokeres had already taken the No.14 shirt – as he idolises Thierry Henry – so it means two of Arsenal’s headline arrivals have been able to take their desired number.

Eze is set to follow in the footsteps of players such as Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie and Mesut Ozil if he chooses to take the No.10 shirt – which he is widely expected to do once passing a medical.