Oliver Glasner has explained why Eberechi Eze was left out of Crystal Palace’s squad for their Europa Conference League play-off against Fredrikstad.
The 27-year-old is on the brink of sealing a £60million move to Arsenal after the Gunners swooped ahead of Tottenham, but his omission from Thursday night’s matchday squad was confirmed only hours before kick-off.
Glasner revealed that Eze had phoned him on the morning of the game to say he was not fit to play, forcing a reshuffle on the day Palace were making their debut in European competition.
‘Honestly, I expected that he would start today for us,’ Glasner told Channel 5. ‘But he called me this morning and told me that he doesn’t feel well to play. I have to accept it and everything else you have to ask the chairman.’
The Austrian coach admitted the late call left him frustrated on a landmark night but said his responsibility was to focus on those players who were ready.
‘You don’t like to change your starting XI on matchday, especially in this situation when it’s the first time in European football for Crystal Palace, but again, we have to deal with it,’ said Glasner.
Oliver Glasner has explained why Eberechi Eze was left out of Crystal Palace ‘s squad for their Europa Conference League play-off
The Palace star is inching closer to a big-money move to Arsenal and is set to undergo his medical on Saturday
Glasner added he ‘does not know’ whether Eze would even attend the game at Selhurst Park, while striker Jean-Philippe Mateta said the squad would have to cope without their standout attacker.
‘We know he’s a very good player, one of the best in our group. Everyone knows this,’ said Mateta. ‘He’s not going to be here today but we have a big group of talented players that will give 100 per cent.’
Palace are competing against the Norwegian side at Selhurst Park in the first leg of their Europa Conference League play-off, with the return fixture taking place on August 28.
By that time, Eze is highly likely to have joined Arsenal, the club he supported as a boy.
Spurs had been in negotiations with Palace over Eze for the past 10 days as they tried to agree a move worth £55million plus add-ons.
However, after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury, the Gunners’ need for another attacker saw them turn to Eze.
Arsenal had earmarked signing the 27-year-old England international earlier in the window and knew they were his preferred destination but, following their £63m outlay on Viktor Gyokeres, they had wanted to concentrate on outgoings before adding another left-sided attacker.
But with Havertz set to be absent for an extended period, after suffering his injury in Arsenal’s win at Manchester United on Sunday, the Gunners acted to steal Eze from under the nose of their fierce rivals.
The Gunners are understood to have stepped in to ensure that Eze would not feature for the Eagles on Thursday
Sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta met Eze last month, and he was sold on the idea of moving to the Gunners but an offer failed to materialise at that time.
Eze’s release clause of £60m, plus £8m in bonuses, lapsed last week.
Daily Mail Sport understands Spurs agreed to Palace’s demands on Wednesday and also agreed terms with Eze. At that stage, the player was keen to finalise the move.
However, Palace are understood to have insisted Eze remain available for their Conference League play-off first leg against Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday night.
Arsenal then stepped in on Wednesday afternoon and Eze will not play for the Eagles and risk an injury derailing his dream move.
