Gary Neville already knows who will replace Bukayo Saka vs Liverpool because of a ‘strange phenomenon’

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Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds United was tainted by the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

The 2024/25 season was an injury-riddled one for Arsenal, with luck not getting much better early into this campaign. 

Arsenal fans were worried as Saka and Odegaard were taken off, with the captain hurting his shoulder and the winger clutching his hamstring. 

There is particular concern from supporters regarding Saka, who only underwent surgery on his hamstring in December. 

• READ MORE: Three winners and two losers from Arsenal’s clash with Leeds United include Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres

Gary Neville suspects who Bukayo Saka’s replacement vs Liverpool will be 

An injury expert suspects Saka might’ve suffered a hamstring strain, which could leave him out for a number of weeks, depending on the severity. 

Fortunately, both the England international and Odegaard underwent scans on Sunday, with the feedback appearing to be positive. 

It’s understood that Odegaard and Saka’s injuries aren’t severe, but there’s still no guarantee when they could return.

The double blow couldn’t have come at a more frustrating time as the Gunners travel to Anfield on matchday three, but Gary Neville thinks Arteta already has his replacements lined up. 

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit suspected who Saka’s replacement could be. 

“For me, Eze is going to come in on that left-hand side. I think Gyokeres is going to play up front. I actually thought the minute that Saka went off and Madueke went to the right-hand side, I thought all of a sudden he looked at home,” he said.

Despite starting on the left against Leeds, Noni Madueke was Arteta’s pick to replace Saka on the day, shifting over to his favoured right. 

Neville believes that Madueke is the favourite to replace Saka on the right, which could see Eberechi Eze make his Arsenal debut on the left – depending on Odegaard’s status. 

“You know, it’s a strange phenomenon, isn’t it, that we see a sort of left winger play on the left side of midfield. We don’t see that too much. They’re always opposite-footed wingers now.

“But to see Madueke go over to that right-hand side on his left foot, I thought he looked a lot better for those five minutes or so that he was there.

“So you have Madueke, I think, on the right. I think you’ll have Gyokeres up front, and I think you’ll have Eze to the left.”

Eze’s record playing on the left

Madueke will be overjoyed to be given a chance to play on his favoured right side, but for Eze, an opening on the left looks more likely.

That being said, if Odegaard is injured, he could be deployed in the number ten role, though some believe Ethan Nwaneri could be chosen to start ahead of Eze in that position. 

Regardless, Arteta is spoiled for choice, as even though Eze’s favoured role is central, his career numbers show that he’s also a real threat on the left side.

Being a right-footed player, Eze can cut in from the left, which has given him joy before, contributing to 30 goals in 82 appearances in left-sided positions.

A lot rides on Odegaard’s readiness to face Liverpool, as Madueke being a replacement for Saka is almost guaranteed, with the real decision being Eze.