Arsenal faces a tough challenge against Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday, compounded by a series of key injuries. The Gunners will be without star winger Bukayo Saka, who sustained a hamstring injury in the recent match against Leeds United. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the unfortunate news, stating that Saka will be sidelined for a few weeks. While the injury is not as severe as his previous one, it's a significant blow to Arsenal's attacking prowess.
Adding to Arsenal's woes, Kai Havertz is also unavailable after undergoing knee surgery. The absence of these two key players puts pressure on Arteta to reshuffle his attacking lineup. There's also a major doubt surrounding captain Martin Ødegaard, who is nursing a shoulder injury picked up in the same Leeds United game. Ødegaard's participation remains uncertain, with Arteta stating that a final decision will be made closer to the match.
However, there's a glimmer of hope for Arsenal fans. New signing Eberechi Eze, who arrived from Crystal Palace for a reported £67.5 million, could be in line to make his debut against Liverpool. Arteta has expressed confidence in Eze's ability to make an impact, highlighting his experience in high-pressure situations. "I think he's the type of player that loves those scenarios and those moments," the manager said.
Despite the injury setbacks, Arsenal will be looking to break their winless streak at Anfield, where they haven't secured a Premier League victory since November 2021. The Gunners have drawn their previous three visits to Anfield in the league, and they'll be hoping that Eze can provide the spark needed to secure a crucial win.
The potential lineup could see Mikel Merino joining Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice in midfield, as Arteta seeks to find the right balance in the absence of key players. All eyes will be on Eze to see if he can live up to the expectations and make a memorable debut against a formidable Liverpool side.