Mikel Arteta has already dropped huge Eberechi Eze Arsenal debut hint for huge Liverpool clash

Mikel Arteta looks set to hand Eberechi Eze his Arsenal debut against Liverpool (Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

Mikel Arteta is expected to hand Eberechi Eze his Arsenal debut against Liverpool at Anfield due to a number of factors. Last season's two Premier League title rivals meet on Sunday afternoon after making very different starts to the new campaign.

Both Arteta and Arne Slot have overseen two victories but while the Gunners are yet to concede, Liverpool have let in four goals and required late strikes to beat both Bournemouth and Newcastle United.

Based on that, optimism should be high that Arsenal can leave Merseyside with all three points, but some very important players missing out could heavily impact their chances.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka have already been ruled out with the former undergoing surgery earlier this week . Club captain Martin Odegaard is also a doubt after picking up a shoulder injury last weekend and not having trained for the first few days of this week.

Eze is the most natural replacement for the Norway international with Arteta's comments heavily hinting that he will be in the starting XI to face Liverpool.

"Yeah, really impressed with him," he admitted in a press conference. "I heard a lot of things about him. I spoke to a lot of people about him. Really bright. Very special energy, a special aura around him. Really willing, he's already gathering a lot of information, the things that we want to see on that pitch.

"But especially make sure that he has the freedom and the capacity to express his quality, which is the reason why we brought him here."

It is certainly not guaranteed though as Ethan Nwaneri can also be deployed centrally while Mikel Merino is another that can play in an advanced role

Speaking on exactly that, Arteta said: "We have options in that position, and that's a good thing that we have this year. So let's see, as I said, another day. And I'm not going to give you any clues, obviously.

"We have a lot of players now that can play in different positions, and they can fulfil gaps when we have them. And looking at the start of the season that we already had with injuries, that's going to be very necessary. So I'm very happy to have the ability to do that."

Eze's versatility is another reason why Arsenal wanted to sign him and he could therefore be utilised off the left on Sunday afternoon. That is because Noni Madueke is expected to switch flanks to replace Saka on the right.

When the latter was taken off, Leandro Trossard was brought on while Gabriel Martinelli remained an unused substitute after a disappointing display the previous weekend at Old Trafford.

His pace off the bench late into the day at Anfield could be very useful but Trossard may not be fully match fit to start given the fact he picked up an injury during pre-season.

Based on all of that, even if he does not start in a central position, Eze could still be on the team sheet just as part of Arteta's front three.