Arsenal fans will have to wait a little longer to see their latest signing, Eberechi Eze, in action after the club missed the 12:00 pm Premier League registration deadline on Friday.

The £67.5m midfielder, hijacked from Tottenham’s grasp earlier this week, will not feature against Leeds United on Saturday. However, he will be available to make his debut when the Gunners travel to Liverpool on August 31 in what promises to be a blockbuster clash.

Eze, 27, completed his medicals and signed a five-year contract at Arsenal’s Colney Training Centre on Friday. His omission also meant he was left out of Crystal Palace’s Europa Conference League playoff against Fredrikstad the previous evening, effectively ending his Eagles chapter.

Although he won’t step onto the pitch at the Emirates against Leeds, there are strong indications that Eze could be unveiled to the home fans before kick-off, setting the stage for an electrifying first appearance in Arsenal colors next week.

Opinion

This feels like a classic case of football’s fine margins—a few hours’ delay, and Arsenal supporters are denied the excitement of seeing their big-money signing take on Leeds. Yet, there’s something poetic about Eze’s potential debut being penciled in against Liverpool. If you’re going to announce yourself as a Gunner, what better stage than Anfield in one of the league’s fiercest fixtures?

Beyond the registration hiccup, Arsenal’s move for Eze is a huge statement. Not only did they snatch him from under Tottenham’s nose, but they also added a player whose flair, creativity, and versatility could be exactly what Mikel Arteta needs to bridge the fine gaps in the title race. Eze is not just a signing; he’s an answer to Arsenal’s midfield puzzle—a player who can glide past defenders, unlock tight defenses, and bring a new rhythm to the Gunners’ attack.

For fans, the wait might be frustrating, but anticipation is often sweeter than instant gratification. Seeing Eze unveiled at the Emirates will spark excitement, but when he finally steps onto the pitch—possibly against Liverpool—the moment could feel even bigger.

In football, sometimes delays only make the arrival more special. Arsenal might have missed the deadline, but they may just have won the signing of the summer.