Crystal Palace suffer major Eberechi Eze injury blow ahead of Arsenal clash

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·20 December 2024

Crystal Palace suffer major Eberechi Eze injury blow ahead of Arsenal clash

The attacking midfielder is not at 100% with a swollen foot

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed Eberechi Eze will miss the game against Arsenal on Saturday.

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The attacking midfielder was a minor doubt for the Carabao Cup quarter-final meeting between the two sides earlier in the week after suffering a knock during the 3-1 win over Brighton in the Eagles’ last Premier League outing.

However, despite being passed fit to start at the Emirates Stadium and playing for just under an hour, Eze suffered a kick to further aggravate his already swollen foot and therefore will not be available for round two against the Gunners.

As well as confirming the continued absences of Adam Wharton, Matheus Franca and Chadi Riad, Glasner expanded on why no risks are being taken with the 26-year-old.

“We have no one back yet, but we do have one more injury, so Ebs is unavailable,” the Palace boss said in his pre-match press conference. “He got a hit against Brighton on his foot. He played with quite a swollen foot at the Emirates and also got the next kick there. So he is not 100%.

“We need every player 100% so it makes sense, we decided that he gets a rest and hopefully will be available for Bournemouth. It doesn’t look serious, but you have to wear the boots, kick the ball and it is painful, it is not that free in terms of movement.

Eberechi Eze played for 59 minutes with a swollen foot in Crystal Palace’s Carabao Cup loss to Arsenal.

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“You always feel pain when you move and then you are thinking too much about this an can't play how you can play.

"We need the best Eberechi Eze he can be and therefore he has to be fit like all the other players."

Though, the good news for Palace is Eze’s injury isn’t expected to keep him out for too long with the Boxing Day clash against Bournemouth pencilled in as a realistic return game.

“For me the busiest part of Christmas is this week, three games in six days," Glasner added.

"We have one game on the 29th but then we have a week until Chelsea. So the busiest period is now and it is good to have players available.

“And I expect Ebere to be available for Bournemouth. Of course it is important to have your team together, and we will go for getting a better result than two days ago at the Emirates.”