Former Crystal Palace team-mate Maxence Lacroix says he is happy for Eze, but reminded him the stadium is still “OUR house”.
Eberechi Eze will return to Selhurst Park as a Premier League champion on Sunday, but former Crystal Palace team-mate Maxence Lacroix has made clear there should be limits to the celebrations.
Arsenal will be presented with the trophy after their final domestic game of the season, giving Eze a title-winning homecoming at the stadium where he spent five years before moving to north London.
It is a rare kind of footballing symmetry, but Palace have their own occasion to protect, and Lacroix does not want the afternoon to become entirely about Arsenal’s former Eagle.
“It will be special but I would tell him not to enjoy too much because it’s OUR house,” he said.
“He’s not in our house any more but it’s beautiful for him and I’m really happy.”
The French defender said he contacted Eze after Manchester City failed to keep the title race alive, confirming Arsenal as champions for the first time in 22 years.
“I sent him a message when I saw Manchester City missed the chance to continue the journey,” he added.
“I was just really happy. Why? Because we spoke such a lot about Arsenal. It was one of his favourite teams.
“He signed for Arsenal, he did a good season and they are in the final of the Champions League.
“They’ve won the league for the first time in 22 years, so it’s NOW beautiful and I’m just really happy for him.”
For Arsenal, Eze’s return to Palace comes at the end of a domestic campaign already completed in the most satisfying way. Mikel Arteta’s side have ended a generation-long wait for the title and will now lift the trophy before turning their full attention to the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Palace also have a European final ahead, with Oliver Glasner’s side preparing to face Rayo Vallecano, so both clubs are expected to rest and rotate. That gives Sunday a slightly unusual feel, part league finale, part trophy presentation, part preparation for much bigger nights still to come.
When asked how he felt about Eze winning the Premier League, Glasner said: “It was so easy for us because it was either Eberechi or Marc [Guehi of Manchester City, another former Eagle].
“Oh, and Michael Olise at Bayern Munich, three players I was lucky to manage. Michael quite a short time, Ebs longer and Marc the longest, about two years.
“Firstly, they are fantastic players but it makes me proud I could work with great people – humble, ambitious, hardworking, trucking to improve.”