Arsenal's stunning coup to snatch Eberechi Eze away from Spurs is a ruthless statement of intent, says BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty

Yesterday was a bad day for Tottenham Hotspur, but while the club failed in its bid to secure Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze after losing out to an Arsenal gazumping, the club is already briefing that it has other irons in the fire.

Eberechi Eze has been one of the key targets for Spurs this summer, with their pursuit of the Englishman dragging out for the majority of the window.

Arsenal launch a move for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, who is expected to choose them ahead of Tottenham.

Arsenal pounced to beat north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to a deal on Wednesday, matching the Spurs offer and persuading Eze to join them instead. Spurs hadn’t finalised their agreement due to Palace wanting Eze to play the first leg of a Conference League play-off, which he subsequently didn’t feature in anyway.

Arsenal have dramatically stolen Eberechi Eze from Tottenham’s grasp and are set to sign the England international after he bid farewell to Crystal Palace last night. The Gunners will complete a transfer worth £60m and £7.

MIKEL ARTETA INSISTS Arsenal’s dramatic move to sign Eberechi Eze is not a panic reaction to Kai Havertz’s knee injury. Arteta confirmed Havertz will miss Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Leeds at the Emirates on Saturday but claimed it is still too early to say how long the Germany international will be sidelined for.

For the second time this summer, Spurs must pivot after a proposed deal to sign a creative midfielder collapsed at the final hurdle