Crystal Palace star misses historic European tie as he closes in on Arsenal move

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·21 août 2025

Crystal Palace star misses historic European tie as he closes in on Arsenal move

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze was left out of the starting line-up for their Europa Conference League clash with Fredrikstad on Thursday night, as speculation grows over a £60 million move to Arsenal.

The 26-year-old forward, who has been central to Oliver Glasner’s plans, was expected to start the club’s first-ever European fixture but withdrew on the morning of the match.

Vidéos OneFootball

Speaking to Channel 5, Palace boss Glasner explained:

“I expected that he would start today for us but he called me this morning and said he does not feel well to play the game. I have to accept it and everything else you will have to ask the chairman. “If a player tells me he is not ready to play then we have to accept it. I called the player who starts instead but he is ready, it is my responsibility to prepare the players that play for us in the best way. “So it was a quite busy day. It is not what you want to do, to change the starting 11 on matchday, especially in this situation — the first time in European football for Crystal Palace — but we have to approach the game in the best way.”

Eze’s absence has intensified rumours of an imminent exit, with Arsenal pushing to add attacking depth before the transfer deadline.

The England international has been one of Palace’s standout performers, linking up effectively with Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, but uncertainty now hangs over his future.

For Palace, the timing is far from ideal. On a night when the club made its long-awaited European debut, attention has shifted to whether their most valuable asset is about to leave Selhurst Park.