Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze and his former Crystal Palace teammate Michael Olise exchanged jerseys following Arsenal's emphatic 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on November 26, 2025.
The match at the Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal take the lead in the 22nd minute when Jurriën Timber headed in a curling corner from Bukayo Saka, only for Bayern's 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl to equalize in the 32nd minute with a clinical volley assisted by Serge Gnabry after a precise long ball from Joshua Kimmich. Arsenal regained control in the second half, with substitute Noni Madueke scoring in the 69th minute to make it 2-1, before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win by rounding Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer and slotting home into an empty net midway through the opposition half. The moment of the jersey swap, captured in a heartfelt Instagram post by Eze, underscored the enduring friendship between the two south London natives, who once formed a formidable partnership at Selhurst Park.
The clash pitted Eze—now a £60 million summer signing for Arsenal—against Olise, who joined Bayern Munich in July 2024 and has since emerged as one of Europe's most creative forwards, amassing 29 goals and 28 assists over two seasons. Despite the high stakes, with both clubs vying for top spots in the league phase, the post-match gesture highlighted a bond forged not just on the pitch but off it as well. During their three-year stint together at Palace, Olise provided all eight assists for Eze's goals, creating an electric on-field synergy that terrorized defenses in the Premier League.
Off the field, their relationship deepened through shared interests, including a mutual passion for chess. Eze has credited Olise and his brother with introducing him to the game, crediting it for sharpening his strategic mindset—both in board games and football tactics. Olise, whom Eze affectionately calls his "big brother," even traveled back to London to attend Eze's matches and offer guidance after his move to Arsenal. Their international paths have diverged—Eze representing England and Olise earning caps for France—but the reunion evoked pride at Crystal Palace, where both rose from Championship loans to Premier League stardom.
Eze's performance in the match further solidified his status as a key Arsenal asset, contributing five goals and two assists since his arrival, while ranking among the league's top creators. For Olise, the defeat was a minor setback in a stellar campaign that includes 22 goal involvements in just 23 appearances across club and country.
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