Mikel Arteta aims subtle dig at Tottenham as Eberechi Eze joins Arsenal

Mikel Arteta has aimed a subtle dig at Tottenham Hotspur by insisting that a desire to play for Arsenal is his “number one” requirement for any potential signing.

The Gunners are on the verge of completing the purchase of Crystal Palace superstar Eberechi Eze for an overall transfer fee of €78 million, having hijacked his proposed move to Spurs.

The England international has successfully undergone his medical with the north London giants and he is expected to be formally announced as Arsenal’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window this weekend.

When asked about Eze’s imminent move to the Emirates Stadium, Arteta said: “Nothing to comment. I can never talk about any player that is not part of our group, our club yet, so no comment on that. No, I can’t, sorry.”

Despite refusing to comment directly on Eze, Arteta was eager to reveal the importance he places on prospective signings expressing a desire to join Arsenal.

“That’s number one, that they want to be with us, that they feel something special to come to us,” he admitted. “Then the person and our personality we’re going to bring, and then the rest comes.

“I think we’ve done that very, very well in the last few years to create a group of players and the spirit in the team.”

Eze is a well-known Arsenal supporter and he has already endeared himself to the Gunners faithful after snubbing Tottenham to join the club.

Thomas Frank responds to missing out on Eberechi Eze

Arteta’s comments come after Spurs boss Thomas Frank expressed his view after missing out on Eze.

“In general, talking generally, I don’t want any players that don’t want to come to this club and wear this fantastic badge,” Frank told reporters ahead of Tottenham’s clash against Manchester City.

“We don’t want them here and I’m sure the fans feel the same.”

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