Despite key injuries, Arsenal’s deep squad faces a crucial test against Liverpool at Anfield. Arteta’s tactical flexibility and new signings offer a chance to break their 13-year winless streak at this iconic stadium.
Arsenal face their toughest challenge of the new Premier League season as they travel to take on the reigning champions, Liverpool. Despite missing key players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard due to injuries, Mikel Arteta still finds himself with plenty of options to choose from in his squad.
Last season, injuries disrupted Arsenal’s campaign significantly, but this time around, the club has invested heavily to build depth. With seven new signings costing around £250 million—and potentially an eighth if Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie joins—Arsenal are better prepared to handle such setbacks. The summer has been a whirlwind of activity off the pitch, with new sporting director Andrea Berta proving why he’s regarded as a top dealmaker.
Tactical Flexibility and Squad Depth
Arteta has a rich pool of talent at his disposal across all areas of the pitch. While Saka is sidelined with a hamstring issue, options like Ethan Nwaneri, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Noni Madueke offer attacking flexibility. With Havertz out following knee surgery, Viktor Gyokeres could lead the attack, supported by either Mikel Merino or Trossard. Odegaard’s future for this match is uncertain due to a shoulder injury, but new signing Eberechi Eze stands ready to fill in, alongside Merino or Nwaneri.
This abundance of options makes Arteta’s selections unpredictable—a strategic advantage he embraces. “The more they have to adapt and find solutions and prepare things, the busier they’re going to be with us—that’s very positive,” Arteta explained.
How Arteta shapes his lineup will reveal much about his vision for this Arsenal squad. In previous seasons, including last year, Arsenal’s approach at Anfield was more straightforward. Arteta often favored a 4-2-2-2 formation, particularly when Odegaard was absent, which meant operating without a traditional playmaker in midfield.
Now, however, Arteta has the choice to push forward more aggressively. He could replace Odegaard with Eze or Nwaneri—or even deploy both. Last season, Nwaneri saw limited action as a No. 8, despite Odegaard’s lengthy injury absence. His increased involvement last weekend against Leeds, where he replaced the injured captain, signals a shift in Arteta’s thinking.
Win at Anfield Would Mark Arsenal’s Intent
If Arteta chooses to be bold, he might send Nwaneri into the midfield role while using Eze on the flank, which would signify a major tactical shift. Alternatively, keeping the midfield compact and relying on Martinelli’s pace out wide remains a strong option. Martinelli has a proven track record against Liverpool, having scored six goals—the most he has against any single team.
“Gabriel has been a super important player for us, and he’s going to remain very, very, very important,” Arteta said. “Every opponent demands different things, and the competition for places pushes the team. We need him on the pitch at key moments, both at the start and the end of games.”
There is a clear temptation for Arteta to take risks as Arsenal chase their first league win at Anfield in 13 years. Liverpool’s defense has shown vulnerabilities early in the season, conceding four goals in just two league games—something they didn’t reach until their ninth match last season.
A victory at Anfield would do more than add three points. It would affirm that Arsenal’s revamped squad is ready to turn promise into tangible success. “Playing at these top stadiums against this level of opposition is exactly what we want,” Arteta said. “Winning convincingly in these big games is crucial. Our goal is to keep building the momentum we’ve created so far.”
For Arsenal, a win on Merseyside would be a major statement of intent in this title race, showing that their summer investment and squad depth have set them on a path to challenge at the highest level.