“That was tough” – Eagles star's emotional Arsenal confession after tough rejection from Gunners at age 13

Crystal Palace icon Eberechi Eze has opened up about the painful rejection he suffered from Arsenal at the age of 13, revealing that despite the early setback, the Gunners remained his dream club, a dream he is now set to fulfil after the two clubs reportedly agreed on his signing.

A video from 2022 resurfaced following reports by Pulse Sports Nigeria that Arsenal have made a decisive move to secure the talented Anglo-Nigerian midfielder.

The Gunners reportedly beat rivals Tottenham Hotspur to Eze’s signature, with the reliable The Athletic confirming the agreement. Arsenal’s move to sign Eze came after a knee injury to Kai Havertz left their attacking options depleted.

Having scored nine goals in his last 13 games last season, including the FA Cup final winner, the 27-year-old has proven himself the ideal candidate to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s team.

Further adding to the excitement is the fact that Eze once played at Arsenal’s academy, making this potential transfer a heartfelt reunion and fulfilling a lifelong ambition.

In the revealing video by Rising Stars, Eze spoke honestly about the hardest rejection of his youth. “My dream was to play for Arsenal,” he said.

“Being released by them was the hardest. Hearing them say no to me at 13, that was tough. I remember training after I got rejected; I couldn’t focus. I was just crying."

But I think that helped me in all the other rejections that I faced. I thought, if I can get through Arsenal rejecting me, I can get through anything else.”

Fast forward 14 years, and Arsenal are reportedly set to sign Eze in a deal worth around £68 million, proving that while his path was long and winding, perseverance and belief helped him turn an early heartbreak into the realisation of a childhood dream.