And the Gunners’ biggest challenge yet will come this weekend when they take on Liverpool at Anfield. Some key injuries in the squad only add to this perfect storm for the Gunners. The team’s most dangerous player, Bukayo Saka, is out with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury loss in the recent 5-0 over Leeds. This injury will prevent him from appearing in Sunday’s game. He’ll miss the next two weeks at a minimum. Martin Ødegaard is out with a shoulder injury, and Kai Havertz recently underwent knee surgery. These injuries are making it hard on Arsenal’s preparations for this important Premier League fixture.
During Saka’s last outing, against Leeds, he felt a twinge in his left hamstring. Last season, he missed most of the first three months of the season with an injury to his right hamstring. The club’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, expressed significant concern regarding Saka’s recurrent hamstring issues and their potential impact on the player’s performance.
Injury Updates and Debut for Eberechi Eze
Joining Saka in the treatment room, Martin Ødegaard is set for a spell on the sidelines after falling heavily on his shoulder in Arsenal’s win over Leeds. He was later replaced by young gun Ethan Nwaneri. Arteta assured that Ødegaard’s situation would be closely observed, for the Gunners can’t afford to lose any more key players.
And in a perhaps unexpected bit of good news for Arsenal, Eberechi Eze has been ruled out of Anfield. Eze did well to avoid an operation for an Achilles injury suffered at the start of the season. His return is even more timely given the club is undergoing an unprecedented injury crisis. Arteta has been an admirer of Eze’s qualities, lauding his high energy and intelligence in playmaking.
“First of all his energy. When you are next to him, you are comfortable. He has got a big smile, he asks you the right questions,” said Mikel Arteta about Eze.
Arsenal’s Ambitions Against Liverpool
As Arsenal look ahead to their next match against Liverpool in the Premier League, Arteta knows the challenge that awaits. Liverpool, the reigning champions, have proven their mettle last season, consistently demonstrating their ability to win matches through various means. Arteta was quick to praise the quality of the opposition, saying,
“They are the champions for a reason, because they deserved to be champions.”
With a track record of failing at Anfield—having not won there since 2012—Arsenal will look to end that run. Playing such an opponent, Arteta highlighted how important it would be for his team to take confidence and belief into the game.
“We want to be that team this year and we need to go to Anfield with that spirit and that conviction,” he remarked.
There was the need for Arteta’s team to build on what had been a disappointing return from the last three games played this season.
“We have already started with the first two games in the Premier League, and that’s the aim, be better than them,” he added.
Preparing for a Tough Match
As Arsenal prepares for this all-important match, their plans must begin without several of their top players. Losing Saka is obviously a huge blow considering how he can stretch a team with his speed and directness while accelerating the tempo of the game.
“Yes it is a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter, a player who gets into that zone very often, who needs that burst, that change of pace to be threatening,” Arteta explained regarding Saka’s absence.
The long-time coach continues to be excited about his team’s toughness and depth. With Eze stepping up alongside other players like Nwaneri, Arsenal seeks to maintain momentum from their previous victories.
“You want to continue building the momentum we are in right now. Going to those grounds, against this kind of opposition, is what you want,” Arteta expressed.
With matchday looming though, Arsenal’s stars are going to have to pick themselves up and be ready to execute their game plan against Liverpool to perfection. For the visitors, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they’re looking for their first Premier League win at Anfield in more than a decade.
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