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Mikel Arteta has disclosed that Arsenal will be looking into ways to better manage Bukayo Saka's recurring hamstring injury, whilst also acknowledging Liverpool as the favourites for the title. The Gunners are set to travel to Merseyside on Sunday, having secured maximum points from their first two matches of the season.
Arne Slot's team have also bagged six points from their initial two games of the campaign, with a last-minute goal from young player Rio Ngumoha securing a victory against Newcastle United in their previous match. However, Arteta will be without Saka, as well as forwards Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard for the Anfield clash.
Saka was taken off during the second half of Arsenal's victory over Leeds United at the Emirates last weekend, and Arteta confirmed that the club is investigating the injury.
"Yes, it is obviously a big one," he commented. "Especially when we talk about a sprinter, a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match that needs that burst, that change of rhythm, of pace, to be as threatening as possible.
"We will learn again what happened, make him stronger. Unfortunately injuries are part of your career. He hasn't had that many to be fair with the amount of games that he's played at his age. But it's something that we want to eradicate.
"It's not as bad as the previous one. It's an action that requires full power from him. Then he clashes with the opponent, he needs to change pace again. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks."
Liverpool concluded the campaign 10 points ahead of Arsenal last season and secured the title in Slot's inaugural term at the helm of the club.
When questioned whether Liverpool are the frontrunners to defend their title, Arteta responded: "The favourite is always the one that won the previous year.
"Somebody has to come and take that crown away from them so that is what we will try to do. The aim is to be better than them."
Arsenal recently finalised the acquisition of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace last week, and Arteta is convinced his new signing will relish making his bow at Anfield.
He remarked: "He's played there many times. I think he's the type of player that loves those scenarios and those moments.
"I think the moment he starts to play, we will see how the team will react and what connections will flourish from his interventions.
"I'm very confident that he's played in the League so many years. We're adapting to his qualities and making sure that we put him in the right positions as often as possible.
"We have to put him in the positions and scenarios where he can deliver those moments, which is the reason why we brought him here to give us something different, something unexpected and we will adapt to what is necessary, as we know the outcome of that is really big.
"They (players like Eze) have a different feel of the ball. Everything glides and moves so smoothly. They are beautiful to watch, the way they carry the ball, the way they take touches, the way they turn. Ebere for sure has got this talent.
"I think when you are next to him, you are comfortable. He's got a big smile. He picks teams apart.
"He asks you the right questions and then just let him flow with the ball and the ability he has to pick passes, to drive past people effortlessly and just to understand the timing of things. It's very impressive."
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