Eze starts, Odegaard and Saka replaced as Mikel Arteta can make three changes against Liverpool

It may just be three matches into the new season, but for Arsenal that means facing one of their most feared opponents and for many, their main title challengers for the campaign. Not only that, but they're doing so on enemy soil, travelling up to Anfield for the fixture against Liverpool this Sunday.

Having come through the opening two fixtures with victories, the opportunities to not only maintain their current top spot placement but also land a blow on the Reds so early in the campaign are something Mikel Arteta will not wish to pass up. Arne Slot only just scraped past a 10-man Newcastle side on Monday night and rode his luck doing so, with several contentious moments going in their favour throughout.

The Gunners, meanwhile, are yet to concede a single goal in comparison to the four Liverpool four have let in so far. Arteta's men smashed five past Leeds United with an important brace from Viktor Gyokeres after eking out a 1-0 away win at Manchester United on the opening weekend.

However, in the match, both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard left the field with injuries. The former is expected to be out for several weeks football.london understands with a hamstring issue, while Odegaard remains in contention despite having been in significant pain post-match with his shoulder injury.

The Gunners already have Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard and Ben White missing with problems for varying lengths of time. However, the depth in the group following the summer's business means Arteta is far more well-equipped to deal with it.

While many of the team that beat Leeds will be expected to continue, some changes could and perhaps should be made. David Raya, Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori will make up the defensive line.

Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice, who was much improved in the last game, will continue in midfield. With no need to risk players with the depth available and a brand new signing to bed in, it would be wise to swap Odegaard out for this match and bring Eberechi Eze straight into the fold.

In place of Saka is a change of wings for Noni Madueke, and there is always Max Dowman to come off the bench after he won a penalty against The Whites. Gabriel Martinelli was an unused substitute on Saturday, but he has an excellent record at Anfield and also could be tailor-made for the counterattacks the Gunners will be looking to win, while Viktor Gyokeres maintains the striker role.

Changed Arsenal XI vs Liverpool: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

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