Mikel Arteta has asserted that Arsenal ’s impending £60 million acquisition of Eberechi Eze is not a knee-jerk reaction to Kai Havertz ’s recent knee injury. The Gunners’ manager confirmed Havertz will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash against Leeds at the Emirates, though the full extent of the Germany international’s layoff remains unclear.

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.