Eze will make a big impact for Arsenal, says boss Arteta as he confirms Saka and Havertz to miss match due to injuries.
Mikel Arteta backs Eberechi Eze to make impact on Arsenal debut at Liverpool.
As Arsenal gets ready to play Liverpool on Sunday without a number of important attacking players, including Bukayo Saka, Mikel Arteta has urged Eberechi Eze to make an impact on his debut. However, following an agreement on loan conditions with Bayer Leverkusen, Arteta is almost certain to have Piero Hincapié as a new defensive option.
Although Arteta was optimistic the winger may return following the international break, Saka, an England forward, will miss the trip to Anfield due to a hamstring injury sustained against Leeds on Saturday. The manager of Arsenal also revealed that Kai Havertz had surgery to address a knee issue that would prevent him from playing for a few weeks. Leandro Trossard and Martin Ødegaard are both seriously doubtful for the match against the champions.
Arteta’s Eze claim
There was a chance his captain could play against Liverpool, according to Arteta, but he thinks Eze, who scored goals for Crystal Palace at Anfield in April 2024 and in May’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, is ready to contribute now that he arrived last weekend for a reported £67.5 million.
“I think he’s the type of player that loves those scenarios and those moments,” the manager said. “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 for so many years.
“We have to put him in the positions and scenarios where he can deliver those moments which are the reason why we brought him here: to give us something different, something unexpected, and we will adapt to more what is necessary as we know the outcome of that is really big.”