Arsenal already have perfect transfer response after Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard nightmare

As far as victories go, that is about as good as it gets. A five-goal thriller, we got to see Viktor Gyokeres bag a brace on his home debut and the returning Jurrien Timber also secured a couple of his own.

Unfortunately, the match had some downsides outside of the performance and the result, with both Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka leaving the field with injuries of an unknown severity.

Yet when looking at the table and the senior depth coming in to replace those players who couldn’t continue, it speaks to the depth that has been signed. And speaking of signings, the announcement and unveiling of Eberechi Eze to the supporters in the ground brought with it a new fizz that has not been witnessed in such a manner in a stadium nearing two decades in age.

For Gyokeres to lead the line for Arsenal comes with incredible pressure and expectation which, by the way he celebrates his first goal for the club, there is little doubt he was feeling. After his typical ‘Bane-like’ mask was adorned for the first time in the Premier League, he followed it with a double fist pump with both arms flexed, filled with the energy a first goal can give you.

Yet I detect more than just joy—a sense of relief. After the media widely and unfairly criticised his performance at Manchester United, making callous accusations of more touches or his barnet rather than the football, scoring a goal of such skill and flair as opposed to just tapping in a 20-pass move was such a valuable sight.

Coming the week before the Gunners take on Liverpool, to have their main striker in goal-scoring form is of incredible value and that will not be lost on Mikel Arteta. If he can hit the back of the net at Anfield, the conversation will change again but into a very impressive sphere indeed.

In seasons past, losing Bukayo Saka and other equally significant stars was a terminal diagnosis for the side’s hopes. But in the wake of Saka and Odegaard’s departures, the team kicked on instead of fading.

The fact this team managed to dunk five goals on a spirited Leeds United side even with such serious blows endured throughout will give Arteta real confidence in his squad. Hypothetically, if both players are to miss the trip to Liverpool, there is no doubt that their absence will and should be felt.

However, now they have players to step in and step up like never before. Noni Madueke had an extra spark to his play when he moved over to the right and then Max Dowman, who came on, produced one of the most eye-catching displays of the opening two weekends of the Premier League season.

He can’t start at Anfield in place of Bukayo Saka? Surely not?

Well, it’s a genuine option and many will be calling for it, too, which in itself is a massive compliment to the starlet. Not only that, but Leandro Trossard, who recently signed a new deal, looked good when he came on.

But the benefit of having an already-match-fit Eberechi Eze available in addition to the aforementioned depth will concern Arne Slot. He has already caused them plenty of trouble in the Community Shield face-off in early-August and has a chance to deal even more damage, for a club even closer to his heart, one he supports.

We don’t yet know what to expect from an Arsenal side with Eze in it; no one does and that makes the Gunners unpredictable and dangerous. He can cover for either of the two players who Arteta has lost if he wants. He is simply that good and that versatile to be able to shift Madueke to the right and play either in the ten with Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli left, or play himself on the left with Ethan Nwaneri through the middle.

This game showed what Arsenal have been truly lacking. A top-quality centre forward who is capable of turning a nothing moment into a game-changing goal to help kill off sides who are threatening to re-enter proceedings and unsettle the team.
Then there is the depth, strength, and quality of who is beyond just the starting eleven and who can come in to add variation, skill, and goal contributions. An Arsenal with this many resources at its disposal is something to anticipate with great excitement, and frankly, the next match cannot come soon enough!

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