Arsenal Target Eze Shines in Palace Pre-Season Friendly

Eberechi Eze played the entirety of Crystal Palace's friendly against Mainz 05 (Image: (Photo by Severin Aichbauer/SEPA.Media /Getty Images))

Arsenal target Eberechi Eze was at the centre of almost everything good for Crystal Palace during their first pre-season friendly in Austria against Mainz 05 on Tuesday afternoon.

The Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner had confirmed that his side would be facing the Bundesliga outfit in two 60-minute games as part of their pre-season tour in Austria. Eze and several other first-team stars such as Adam Wharton and Jean-Phillipe Mateta were named in the starting XI for the first clash.

With Palace running a live blog of the game, their updates provided further evidence as to why Arsenal are interested in signing Eze. During the first half, despite Mainz mostly dominating, Eze was the conductor for Palace with through balls to Mateta and Ismalia Sarr unfortunate to not result in goals.

The second 30-minute period saw Eze take up positions closer to goal with one shot flying over the bar before he very nearly squeezed beyond the Mainz defence after clever play between Wharton and Sarr. Eventually, Palace's dominance told and they took the lead through Mateta.

Mainz equalised in the final few minutes but it was a solid outing for Eze and Co. with it clear again that he is Palace's talisman.

Two midfield signings alongside the presence of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice may result in Eze being pushed out to the left more often than not if he joins Arsenal, despite his preference to be deployed in more central areas.

A departure for one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard would make that scenario playing out even more likely. However, it seems as though the Gunners may have to settle for fringe players such as Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira departing to help raise funds.

The latter has recently emerged of interest to West Ham United and any funds acquired could go on the signing of Eze. However a new update, courtesy of the Athletic , has made Arsenal's stance on his valuation perfectly clear.

"Eze interest is very clear - but it’s not a deal #AFC are prepared to do at any cost," @ gunnerblog wrote on X. "They’ll have a valuation and will be prepared to wait & see what develops.

"6 signings already & good progress on renewals means they can be patient & see how final weeks of window play out."