North London Rivalry Heats Up: Arsenal's Eze Coup vs Tottenham's Simons Gamble

In the summer transfer window, the North London derby extended far beyond the pitch. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur locked horns in the market over creative talents, culminating in two blockbuster deals that could define their seasons. Arsenal swooped in to hijack Tottenham's pursuit of Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze for a club-record £67.5 million (£60m initial fee plus £7.5m in add-ons), while Spurs, stung by the loss, pivoted to RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons for £51.8 million (€60m). As the dust settles just days into the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, the question on every fan's lips is: who emerged with the better bargain? Let's break it down.

The Eze Hijack: Arsenal's Dramatic Victory.

🚨❤️🤍 BREAKING: Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between all parties.

Crystal Palace to receive package in excess of £60m as Eze preferred #AFC over Spurs.

Arsenal win race over Tottenham, been in advanced talks for days but never sealed. pic.twitter.com/nUN2gXXjgY

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 20, 2025

Arsenal's acquisition of Eze wasn't just a transfer; it was a statement of intent and a psychological blow to their neighbors. The 27-year-old England international, a boyhood Arsenal fan who was released from their academy at age 13, had long been on Mikel Arteta's radar. But Tottenham appeared to have the deal wrapped up. Spurs had agreed terms with Palace and Eze himself, only for Arsenal to reignite their interest on August 21 following Kai Havertz's knee injury in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United. Sources reveal that Arsenal's executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis struck an agreement in principle with Palace chairman Steve Parish as early as August 10, but held off due to squad balancing needs after splashing over £200 million on six new signings, including Viktor Gyokeres (£64m) and Martin Zubimendi (£60m). When Havertz's injury loomed as a potential long-term absence (initial fears suggested up to three months), Arteta acted decisively. Eze, who had lobbied his England teammates at Arsenal to push for the move, sealed personal terms on a four-year contract (with an option for a fifth year) after a pivotal phone call with Arteta. The Gunners paid close to Eze's expired £68m release clause, outbidding Spurs' final offer. Eze's credentials justify the premium. In his final season at Palace (2024-25), he was directly involved in 25 goals (14 goals, 11 assists) across all competitions, including a stunning volley that clinched the FA Cup final win over Manchester City—the Eagles' first major trophy. His flair, dribbling (averaging 2.5 successful take-ons per game), and big-game mentality shone through, with nine goals in his last 13 matches. Transfermarkt values him at €55m, but his England caps (12, with one goal) and Premier League pedigree pushed the fee higher. For Arsenal, Eze adds versatility as a No. 10 or left winger, addressing depth issues on the left flank where Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard underperformed last term. Arteta hailed him as a "powerful and exciting player" who brings "a new dimension" to the attack, potentially unlocking low blocks that have frustrated the Gunners. The deal's genius lies in its rivalry edge: denying Spurs not only bolsters Arsenal but demoralizes their foes. Palace pocketed a £50m profit (after a 15% sell-on to QPR), while Arsenal's amortisation hit is manageable at £10.9m for 2025-26. Eze's arrival could propel Arsenal's title charge, especially with his seamless fit into Arteta's high-pressing system.

Tottenham's Pivot: Simons as the Silver Lining?

Tottenham's summer had been a rollercoaster of near-misses. After James Maddison's ACL injury in pre-season and failing to land Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White (who extended his contract), Eze seemed the perfect replacement—a creative spark for Thomas Frank's ambitious project. But Arsenal's intervention left Spurs scrambling. By August 28, they submitted a €60m bid for Simons, rising to €70m in bonuses, which Leipzig accepted after the Dutchman expressed his desire to leave following their seventh-place Bundesliga finish. The 22-year-old Simons, a Barcelona La Masia product via PSG, signed a five-year deal (with two optional years) worth £51.8m—below Eze's fee but a club-record for Spurs in attacking midfield. Simons' 2024-25 season at Leipzig was electric: 11 goals and 8 assists in the Bundesliga despite missing 15 games to an ankle injury, plus 5 goals in 28 Netherlands caps (including a Euro 2024 semi-final stunner against England). His metrics scream elite: 2.2 chances created per 90 minutes, 7+ passes into the box per game, and superior progressive carries (3.1 per 90) compared to Eze's 2.5. Transfermarkt rates him at €70m, reflecting his youth and upside—he's five years younger than Eze, with room to grow into a world-class No. 10 or left winger. Frank, who convinced Simons during talks, praised his "goals and assists" ability and "eye for unlocking defences." In Spurs' system, Simons slots perfectly behind the striker or on the left, complementing new signings like Mohammed Kudus (£55m from West Ham) and Joao Palhinha (loan from Bayern). His arrival edges out Chelsea's interest, who balked at the fee amid their own targets like Alejandro Garnacho. However, Tottenham's window has been marred by frustration: Eze's loss, Gibbs-White's U-turn, and Dejan Kulusevski's injury leave questions over immediate impact. Simons' adaptability is a boon, but adapting to the Premier League's intensity could take time—Leipzig's poor season (no Europe) might hint at inconsistency under pressure.

Who Got the Better Deal?

Arsenal Edges It—for now Comparing the deals head-to-head, Arsenal's looks sharper. Eze's £67.5m fee is steep, but his proven Premier League output (40 goals in 169 Palace games) and immediate readiness make him a low-risk, high-reward addition. At 27, he's entering his prime, with emotional ties ensuring motivation. Simons, at £51.8m, is a steal for his potential—his underlying stats (higher chance creation and through balls than Eze) suggest he could outshine the Englishman long-term. But at 22, he's unproven in England, and Tottenham's injury crisis demands instant results. Financially, Arsenal overpaid relative to Eze's €55m valuation, but the rivalry win and squad fit (depth for title contention) tip the scales. Spurs saved £15.7m but gambled on youth amid chaos. Early indicators: Eze could debut against Liverpool on August 31, while Simons waits post-internationals. If Eze fires in big games and Simons adapts seamlessly, both clubs win—but Arsenal's calculated coup gives them the upper hand in this transfer tussle. As the season unfolds, these deals could fuel another chapter in the North London saga.