Mikel Arteta was speaking to preview Arsenal's upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal will investigate how they can better manage Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury record - as he claimed Liverpool are favourites for the title. The Gunners make the trip to Merseyside on Sunday, having taken maximum points from their opening two games of the season.
Arne Slot’s side have also taken six points from their opening two games of the campaign, with a last-gasp winner from teenager Rio Ngumoha securing the Reds all three points against Newcastle United last time out. However, the Arsenal boss will be without Saka as well as forwards Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard for the game at Anfield.
Saka was withdrawn in the second half of Arsenal’s win against Leeds United at the Emirates last weekend, and Arteta said the injury is being investigated by the club.
“Yes, it is obviously a big one," he said. "Especially when we talk about a sprinter, a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match that needs that burst, that change of rhythm, of pace, to be as threatening as possible.
“We will learn again what happened, make him stronger. Unfortunately injuries are part of your career. He hasn’t had that many to be fair with the amount of games that he’s played at his age. But it’s something that we want to eradicate.
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“It’s not as bad as the previous one. It’s an action that requires full power from him. Then he clashes with the opponent, he needs to change pace again. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks.”
Liverpool finished 10 points clear of Arsenal last season as they were crowned champions in Slot’s first season in charge of the club.
And asked if Liverpool are the favourites to retain their crown, Arteta concluded: “The favourite is always the one that won the previous year.
“Somebody has to come and take that crown away from them so that is what we will try to do. The aim is to be better than them.”
Arsenal last week completed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, and Arteta believes his new recruit, who cost £67.5million, will love making his debut at Anfield.
He said: “He’s played there many times. I think he’s the type of player that loves those scenarios and those moments.
“I think the moment he starts to play, we will see how the team will react and what connections will flourish from his interventions.
“I’m very confident that he’s played in the League so many years. We’re adapting to his qualities and making sure that we put him in the right positions as often as possible.
“We have to put him in the positions and scenarios where he can deliver those moments, which is the reason why we brought him here to give us something different, something unexpected and we will adapt to what is necessary, as we know the outcome of that is really big.
“They (players like Eze) have a different feel of the ball. Everything glides and moves so smoothly.
“They are beautiful to watch, the way they carry the ball, the way they take touches, the way they turn. Ebere for sure has got this talent.
“I think when you are next to him, you are comfortable. He’s got a big smile. He picks teams apart.
“He asks you the right questions and then just let him flow with the ball and the ability he has to pick passes, to drive past people effortlessly and just to understand the timing of things. It’s very impressive.”
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