Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta couldn’t confirm whether captain Martin Odegaard would be fit to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka will definitely miss the trip to Anfield with a hamstring injury, although Odegaard’s shoulder injury picked up last week against Leeds may not require him to miss the Liverpool game.
Arteta said he ‘didn’t know yet’ whether Odegaard would be available, meaning new marquee signing Eberechi Eze will likely make his Arsenal debut following his transfer from Crystal Palace.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal consoles Martin Odegaard of Arsenal as he is substituted off during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Odegaard has been included in the Norway squad for their fixtures against Finland and Moldova next week, further suggesting his shoulder issue is not serious.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Liverpool, Eberechi Eze makes debut and Martin Odegaard starts on the bench
The risk of a longer-term issue for Martin Odegaard is not one worth taking so early in the season, so Arsenal should not start him if his shoulder is not fully healed from last week’s win over Leeds.
Eberechi Eze can replace Odegaard at the top of midfield, where he played most of his football for Crystal Palace. He can also operate on the left wing, which could potentially allow Noni Madueke to move to his natural right wing position.
Arsenal v Leeds United - Premier League
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Ethan Nwaneri is an option at number ten as well, however Leandro Trossard is more experienced and can operate on the wing to allow Eze to play as number ten behind Viktor Gyokeres in attack.
Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice can continue in midfield, with an unchanged back five of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori. David Raya will continue in goal.
Eberechi Eze offers Mikel Arteta a newfound tactical flexibility at Arsenal
While Bukayo Saka’s absence is a blow, Eberechi Eze’s arrival will shake up the Arsenal attack and allow Mikel Arteta to make more in-game changes.
Games Goals Assists
Attacking midfield 99 31 18
Left wing 53 9 7
Right wing 3 0 0
Eberechi Eze record for Crystal Palace by position. (Source: Transfermarkt).
He plays mostly as a number ten, but is equally effective from the left wing, while Noni Madueke can play on both flanks – as can Saka.
Martin Odegaard can operate both as a traditional midfielder and a number ten, with more options to change formation if Arteta requires.
With Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman also options for Arteta, this season could see a far greater depth to Arsenal’s attack than previous seasons.