With Leaders Out, How Arsenal Could Reshape for Liverpool

Hoping for a restful night will not be the case for Michel Arteta and Arsenal, even after their 5-0 victory over Leeds United, as the injury roster is quite extensive. Heroics at the Emirates have concluded with a migraine.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka join the list, respectively, with Ben White, Kai Havertz, Christian Nørgaard, and Gabriel Jesus.

 Arsenal’s Concerns Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Bukayo Saka left the field with a hamstring injury. Manager Mikel Arteta termed the injury as “significant,” pointing out that it happened during a sprint and is probably different from his past hamstring issue. A scan has been arranged for today to assess the complete extent of the injury.

A Grade 1 hamstring strain, the least severe type, could keep Saka off the field for two to three weeks. If the injury were classified as Grade 2 or Grade 3, he might be out for a month or longer, and in the case that surgery is needed, he could miss up to three months.

 

Ødegaard had to leave the pitch early too, after taking a hard fall due to a challenge, landing on his shoulder. He attempted to continue playing but was ultimately substituted around the 38th minute.

Observers suspect that he may have an AC (acromioclavicular) joint sprain, likely resulting from the awkward way he landed on his shoulder. However, a more severe—though less probable—injury, such as a collarbone fracture, remains a possibility until further scans are conducted.

Notable Substitutions and The Eze Card 

Most of Arsenal’s key players are currently side-lined with injuries, which makes finding proper replacements far from easy. Yet, with the crucial roles Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka play in the squad, Mikel Arteta will be eager to resolve these complications before facing Liverpool at Anfield next week.

Just four days ago, Arsenal signed Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. Palace’s management, however, had initially refused to sell him before their Europa Conference League play-off on the 28th. But in a high-intensity league like the Premier League, injuries are so common that the real battle becomes not recovery, but timing. Having the right card to play at the right moment is essential.

While Eze was initially expected to fill in for the injured Kai Havertz, many now believe his resilience and ability to anchor play could see him deployed in Ødegaard’s role instead. However, his weakness in aerial duels remains a concern.

He also has experience playing as a No. 8 on the left side. In that role, Arteta will look to ensure his influence in advanced ball distribution, as well as his presence in the half-spaces and channel spaces. Support from Rice will be essential in this setup, as Arsenal are fortunate that, amid the injury crisis, he remains unscathed.

Meanwhile, just as Leandro Trossard stepped in for Saka earlier, he could once again be called upon — this time in his preferred left-wing position. Newly arrived from Chelsea, Noni Madueke is likely to start in his natural right-wing role, giving Arteta fresh options in attack.

Both wingers are effective in high pressing. Trossard, with his control of long balls, and Madueke, with his flair for creativity, offer contrasting yet complementary qualities that Arsenal can exploit.