Arsenal have been unable to complete a deal for Eberechi Eze by the midday cut-off which means the winger cannot make his debut for the Gunners until next week's clash at Liverpool
Arsenal fans will have to wait to see Eberechi Eze make his Arsenal debut with transfer from Crystal Palace not completely ratified before the 12pm deadline needed to play this weekend.
The Gunners have swooped in and won the race for the winger's services, although no deal has yet been made official at the time of writing. Arsenal have landed Eze from under Tottenham's nose but the England international is not expected to be able to play at the Emirates on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta's side welcome newly promoted Leeds to north London when they play in the 5.30pm kick-off. They won't be able to call upon Eze however with any new players needing to be signed and registered by midday on Friday if they are to be selected.
Mirror Football understands the deal is on track as expected, with an announcement still anticipated at some point over the weekend. It means the 27-year-old could make his debut in the crunch early season clash at Liverpool on August 31. Arsenal can put down an early season marker at Anfield with a victory and Eze could aid their ambitions.
Arsenal's first meeting with Palace this year comes on October 25 when the Eagles head to the Emirates, which could see them meet their former star for the first time. Eze's first return to Selhurst Park could take place on the final day of the season.
The winger, who has just enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career with the Eagles, would be the latest major recruit to head to north London after Arteta already signed the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke in recent months.
Arsenal's desire to add Eze was motivated by the recent injury to Kai Havertz, which will keep him sidelined. Arteta's side had been keen on the winger throughout the summer and acted late in the piece when Tottenham looked to have won the race.
Eze will bolster an attacking line that already boasts the quality of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri. Having turned his back on the chance of joining Tottenham he could take part in a north London derby for the first time in late November, which will take place at the Emirates.
ex-Gunner Paul Merson has backed Eze's signing to take Arsenal to their first title since 2004. "I think Arsenal win the league with Eze. They had a chance without him because it's a real heads or tails season with Liverpool, and Man City played well on the opening weekend, but Eze help get them over the line," he said.