This Petit-style Eze heist was planned long ago by mastermind Arteta

Gunners boss had already turned Palace star's head earlier in the window and one call sealed deal

- BY JOHN CROSS

IT IS set to be the biggest transfer heist since Tottenham ended up paying Emmanuel Petit's taxi fare to sign for Arsenal.

But as soon as Eberechi Eze got the phone call, there was never any doubt in his mind that he would snub Tottenham to sign for his boyhood heroes Arsenal.

This is the player who grew up worshipping Arsenal and was heartbroken when they released him at 13. There is a video from 2018 of him doing the rounds on social media saying they are his favourite team.

But Eze's dramatic U-turn - from the brink of joining Tottenham to agreeing terms with Arsenal - goes a bit deeper than the frantic negotiations with Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.

The seeds were sewn much earlier in the window and that was when Eze had his head turned and set his heart on Arsenal.

The 27-year-old was made aware of Mikel Arteta's interest in him, just how much the Arsenal manager rates him and also his vision for the England player.