A mural of Eberechi Eze painted on a wall near the Emirates Stadium ahead of his imminent transfer to Arsenal from Crystal Palace has been defaced after vandals hurled white paint across it. It is believed Tottenham fans are the culprits after the Gunners' £67.5 million ($90.5m) transfer hijacking saw Eze reject a move to Spurs.
- Gunners hijack Spurs transfer
- Vandals deface Arsenal Eze mural
- Eze set to be unveiled at Arsenal
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Eze, 27, is set to become Arsenal’s seventh signing of a blockbuster summer, taking Mikel Arteta’s spending spree to a jaw-dropping £250m ($338m). The England international, who spent time in the Gunners' academy ranks before being let go, now returns as a fully-fledged Premier League star.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The artwork, crafted by Arsenal fan street artist North Banksy, was meant to mark Eze’s triumphant homecoming. Instead, it has now been vandalised with white paint along with the word 'Yids' emblazoned across it – an antisemitic slur but also what Tottenham fans call themselves. The artist has promised that a new version will be up soon.
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DID YOU KNOW?
For Tottenham, the saga has been nothing short of humiliating. Eze was high on their wish list, but Arsenal swooped in late to snatch him away from their bitter rivals. Spurs boss Thomas Frank, however, struck a defiant tone, insisting the club will not chase players who lack total commitment to the club.
He told reporters: "In general, I don't want any players that don't want to come to this club and wear this fantastic badge. We don't want them here and I'm sure fans feel the same. We are in the market and will look to strengthen the squad."
- Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT?
While Gunners fans are already dreaming of seeing Eze pulling the strings at the Emirates, they may have to wait a little longer. They will hope to have the deal done in time for the attacker to make his debut in one of the season’s biggest clashes, Arsenal’s trip to defending champions Liverpool on August 31.
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