Eberechi Eze described a frenetic summer transfer period but said he never doubted his next step as he completed a move to Arsenal and was unveiled at the Emirates Stadium.

The 27-year-old, a boyhood Arsenal fan who spent time in the club’s academy, moved quickly once the club renewed their interest. Arsenal had held a meeting months earlier where the basic framework for a move was agreed, but the process fell quiet for an extended spell and at one stage it appeared he was close to joining Tottenham Hotspur instead.

Just four days separated news of Arsenal’s bid and Eze’s presentation on the pitch, a swift sequence he said he tried to savour. The introduction at the Emirates Stadium was, he added, a “special” moment for him and his family.

On the uncertainty and media attention, Eze was measured. “Worried? No. Because I play football,” he said. “That’s what I do and wherever I am, I want to be the best I can be and I’m confident I’ll do that wherever I am.

“I’m grateful that it’s Arsenal and that I’ve got the opportunity to play there and do what I do and I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot going on, it’s fun for me. This is why I play football. These are opportunities that you want. This is for me so I am enjoying it as much as I can. And do what I can.”

Reflecting on the presentation, Eze said he focused on the moment and on what it meant to those closest to him. “I was trying to [take it all in] because as you know, you have that moment and then that it’s gone,” he continued.“I was just there, looking at the crowd and watching everything happen and it was a cool moment—more for my family, seeing what it meant to them. I think that’s the special thing for me.

“For me, now, I’m just excited to play, excited to do my thing on the pitch, to work hard, apply myself and get to doing what I do. There’s been a lot of noise off the pitch but I just want to get down and play.

“And it’s not everyone that gets to experience these types of moments but yeah, I try to enjoy it and take it in my stride as much as possible because there’s always something that is coming. There is always another opportunity and challenge coming so that’s how I see it.”

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has publicly placed Arsenal among his principal picks to challenge for the Premier League title, citing the established relationships at the heart of the team. Asked for his title predictions by BILD, Mbappé highlighted Arsenal’s core of players — William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among others — as a reason for optimism that the club could finally end its long wait.

“Of course, Liverpool has to be mentioned first and foremost, as they’re determined to win one title after another,” he explained. “But I also have high hopes for Arsenal, because the core of the team has known each other for a long time, and that’s a crucial factor in football.

“And Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.”

Pressed for a clearer prediction, Mbappé conceded the choice was difficult and offered Arsenal as a possible winner. “That’s tough,” the Real Madrid forward said. “Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year. It would certainly be easier to say City or Liverpool.”

Those remarks arrive with the Premier League table still taking shape after the opening fixtures. Liverpool have opened up a two-point lead after the first three games of the season, a position helped by a 1–0 victory over Arteta’s Arsenal before the international break. Arsenal sit third, with two wins from three games.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have started poorly by their standards and find themselves 13th after two straight defeats, a run that has piled the pressure back on Guardiola. Mbappé’s assessment underlines the tightness of the race and the belief that squad cohesion can be as important as high-profile signings when the title is decided.

Arsenal began the 2025–26 campaign facing immediate selection headaches as Mikel Arteta manages another run of early injuries. The club travelled to Anfield before the international break without Bukayo Saka and with Martin Ødegaard only fit enough for a bench place. Minutes into that fixture, William Saliba was forced off with an ankle issue.

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera stepped in and delivered a composed performance in a low-key game, ensuring Hugo Ekitiké didn’t continue his impressive start to life on Merseyside. Mosquera’s display will ease concerns about a defensive collapse in Saliba’s absence, as happened at the backend of 2022–23, and the 21-year-old is expected to see significant minutes while Saliba recovers.

Latest reports suggest Arsenal could be without Saliba for up to a month after he withdrew from the France squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. If that timeframe proves accurate, Arteta’s side face a congested September without one of their defensive pillars, with five matches scheduled before the month ends.

Those matches include the home Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, and a Champions League opener away at Athletic Club next Tuesday as the competition begins. Saliba has typically gotten the better of Erling Haaland in their head-to-heads, but he is set to miss Manchester City’s visit to the Emirates on September 21.

He likely would not have featured in the Carabao Cup third-round tie at Port Vale, although Arteta has previously relied on some of his key players in similar cup fixtures. The Gunners have lost their previous three visits to St James’ Park and are poised to be without their No. 2 for the long trip up to Tyneside on the final Sunday of September. Newcastle United may no longer have Alexander Isak in their ranks, but two new additions, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, are aiming to make quick early impressions.

Arteta will need to balance rotation and protection of Saliba while navigating a busy schedule if the month-long absence materialises.