Ebere Eze: ‘I’ve got a long way to go’

Fourteen years after being released by Arsenal as a teenager, Eberechi Eze is finally living the dream he thought had slipped away.

Now 27, the England international has returned to the club he grew up supporting, making his UEFA Champions League debut in his first season with the Gunners.

Eze’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After leaving Arsenal’s academy at 13, he rebuilt his career at Queens Park Rangers before flourishing at Crystal Palace, where his creativity and flair made him one of the Premier League’s most admired attacking midfielders.

His summer move to Arsenal was dramatic, emotional, and deeply personal, but for Eze, it is only the beginning.

‘It’s special as someone that loves Arsenal, but I’ve got a long way to go,’ he told UEFA. ‘There’s a lot of work to be done, a lot of things to achieve. Just being happy to be here is not enough, that’s not part of my make up.’

His Champions League debut was another milestone. Arsenal’s 4-0 demolition of Atlético Madrid showcased the team’s ambition, and Eze admits he was so focused on the game that he barely noticed the famous anthem.

‘It was only when I was on the bench for the second game that I appreciated the music and the stage. It was special to hear that, special to be a part of.’

Under Mikel Arteta, Eze feels he has already grown as a player.

‘I’ve improved so much in the way I think and see the game. His energy is infectious, and the environment he’s created is very special. From the first time I spoke to him, I knew what type of guy he was – enthusiastic, driven, and determined to win.’

What makes this Arsenal side unique, Eze believes, is their collective conviction.

‘The belief and attention to detail here is something I haven’t experienced before. Everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet, and when you have that, it can be very powerful.’