Mikel Arteta could have a major selection headache when it comes to picking Arsenal’s attack for their trip to Anfield on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard were both forced to come off early due to injuries during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds on Sunday, while Kai Havertz is struggling with a knee issue.
Standard Sport understands that initial scans over the weekend suggested that neither player has suffered significant injuries, with reports suggesting Saka could miss two Premier League games and Odegaard is a doubt for the Liverpool game.
It would be a major blow if the Gunners are without them this weekend, or longer, but the club have significantly bolstered their squad this summer and so Arteta has options.
Bukayo Saka pulled up with a hamstring injury against Leeds
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Here, Standard Sport takes a look at three ways Arsenal could line up at Anfield…
Start Eze in the Odegaard role and deploy Madueke out wide
Odegaard has been a key cog in Arsenal’s midfield for the past three seasons, both with and without the ball.
Replacing him is difficult, but in new signing Eberechi Eze there is at least the option for Arteta to call upon someone with a wealth of Premier League experience.
Arsenal signed Eze with the belief that he can play left, right or through the middle – but his best performances for Crystal Palace came centrally.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed his best season to date as one of two No10s in the Palace side and he would suit operating as a No8 for Arsenal.
Eberechi Eze was unveiled at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and is in line to make his Arsenal debut against Liverpool
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Eze would give Arteta’s side creativity from midfield and that would compliment nicely with Declan Rice’s athleticism.
If Eze is used centrally, that would open the door for Noni Madueke to take Saka’s spot on the right wing if he is injured.
Madueke has predominantly played on the left for Arsenal, so far, but the majority of his career has been spent on the right.
On the other flank, Arteta may favour playing Gabriel Martinelli given he thrives in space and Arsenal, like other teams this season, could get joy on the counter attack against Liverpool.
Possible line-up (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Bring Nwaneri into the midfield and push Eze to the left
It was noticeable that when Odegaard was forced off on Saturday, there was only one thought in Arteta’s mind.
Last season, when Odegaard was injured, Arteta essentially ripped up his game plan and set the team up a new formation.
But on Saturday he opted for a like-for-like replacement and brought on Ethan Nwaneri.
Ethan Nwaneri did well after replacing Odegaard against Leeds
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It is a sign of Arteta’s growing trust in the 18-year-old and how he is now viewed as the back-up for Odegaard.
Nwaneri often played on the right wing for Arsenal last season, especially when Saka was injured, but he prefers playing centrally.
He put in a solid performance against Leeds and did his chances of starting at Anfield no harm at all.
If Nwaneri does start as one of two No8s, then Eze may crop up on the left flank. It is a role the England star has played before and he could dovetail well if Riccardo Calafiori is used an overlapping full-back.
Possible line-up (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Nwaneri, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Change the formation and get Eze close to Gyokeres
Arteta showed last season how he is not afraid to get creative when missing key players due to injury.
After Odegaard injured his ankle in September, Arsenal often lined up in a 4-2-2-2 formation instead of their usual 4-3-3 shape.
It is an option for Arteta now, especially as Martin Zubimendi and Rice would make for a strong double pivot.
Viktor Gyokeres scored his first two Arsenal goals against Leeds and will lead the line on Merseyside
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Ahead of them, Madueke and Martinelli could be deployed as two pacy wingers that can play on the counter. Leandro Trossard could also be used on the left as well.
That would leave Viktor Gyokeres leading the line, and he is a certainty to in the absence of Havertz after scoring twice against Leeds.
Eze could be used alongside Gyokeres in the role that Trossard played last season in Odegaard’s absence.
It is a position that Eze has some experience of, and back in June he played next to Harry Kane in a 4-4-2 formation for England.
Eze could provide a link between Arsenal’s midfield in attack, while also giving Gyokeres the support he needs to ensure the Swede is not isolated.
Possible line-up (4-2-2-2): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi; Madueke, Martinelli; Gyokeres, Eze
