When Eberechi Eze can make Arsenal debut after dramatic Tottenham transfer hijack

Arsenal are set to signCrystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze after beating Tottenhamto the signature of one of the Premier League's most lively players.Following a protracted summer saga that has seen him err either way, Mikel Arteta's men have come out on top.

As recently as Wednesday afternoon, Spurs were in pole position to land the forward after agreeing a price thought to be close to £68million - the price of his recent release clause.Arsenal were kicked into gear after the injury to Kai Havertz altered their plans for the remainder of the window.

Eze had already been close to Arsenal in the first place and took a late turn to settle on the red side of north London once fresh interest emerged. Arsenal matched Palace's valuation and now the 27-year-old is on his way to becoming the latest in a growing line of expensive signings for new sporting director Andrea Berta.

READ MORE: Arsenal can add £40m player after Eberechi Eze transfer and Andrea Berta masterplan

READ MORE: Eberechi Eze to Arsenal transfer announcement timeline emerges after stunning Tottenham hijack

As a proven Premier League player with an impressive record of output from the left-side/No.10 position, Eze will slot into Arsenal's 4-3-3 as competition for Gabriel Martinelli as well as cover centrally for Martin Odegaard when needed. There is a chance that he could be playing as early as Saturday evening.

If things progress smoothly, then Eze may well be able to make his debut at the Emirates Stadium against Leeds United. Palace had been keen to wait until after Thursday's Conference League clash with Fredrikstad before allowing him to join Tottenham and that will now delay things slightly for Arsenal.

His medical, on Friday, will make it unlikely that he is registered asan Arsenal player by 12pm the same day. After Conference League action, that does not give them much time to act, but it is a clear deadline for all parties to try and meet in a best-case scenario. Eze would be going in cold and likely without a training session under his belt, which makes an appearance unlikely.

He did play a full part in Palace's pre-season under Oliver Glasner despite the noise around his future. In that time, Eze played in numerous friendlies and took part in all the preparation, conditioning, and exercises.

That will have kept him sharp, as shown by his opening day performance away at Chelsea. Although his free kick goal was ruled out, Eze stood out as the best and most impactful player on the pitch, showing up Cole Palmer.

That will give Arsenal hope that even though he may not be attuned to Arteta's methods, Eze is still able to make a sizeable contribution early on. If he does not feature against Leeds - which might make for a better day of unveiling him in front of his new supporters - then the challenge of visiting Anfield on Sunday, August 31 awaits.

After that, Arsenal and the Premier League break for two weeks of international matches. By the time Eze returns from that, he will be more than ready to make his debut.