Eberechi Eze is set for an extended run in Arsenal’s starting XI after Bukayo Saka suffered a quadriceps injury expected to keep him out for several weeks.
The England international has started only one of Arsenal’s opening seven Premier League matches this season, but Saka’s absence presents him with a significant opportunity to establish himself in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Eberechi Eze given chance to cement Arsenal role
Eze has made an immediate impact since the international break, scoring twice. One of those goals came in Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich, when he replaced Saka only 10 minutes into the match.
He also found the net against Lille, with the recent goals suggesting his confidence is beginning to return after a limited start to the campaign.
Arteta remains impressed by Eze despite his lack of regular league starts, and there is no indication of a significant internal concern over the player’s reduced role.
Saka missed Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton, and Arteta confirmed that the winger was likely to be sidelined for “weeks”. Swelling around the affected muscle has made it difficult to determine the precise length of his recovery.
The change in circumstances could allow Eze to build the rhythm he has been seeking at Arsenal. At Crystal Palace, he was often the team’s central creative force, whereas Arteta’s side distributes attacking responsibility between Eze, Saka, Martin Ødegaard and others.
Regular starts would give Eze the chance to show that he can influence matches within Arsenal’s structured system without requiring the same freedom he enjoyed at Palace.
Eze is understood to be happy at Arsenal and has no intention of seeking a move despite his limited involvement so far. If he performs consistently while Saka is absent, Arteta could face a selection dilemma when his first-choice winger returns.
