Paul Merson tells Mikel Arteta ‘incredible’ Arsenal star must start against Liverpool

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal know the importance of putting in a good performance and getting a positive result this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side travel to reigning Premier League champions Liverpool having not won at Anfield for 13 years.

Kai Havertz has undergone minor knee surgery and Bukayo Saka will also miss the game as attacking injury woes hamper the Gunners once again.

However, after a summer of spending from Andrea Berta, Arsenal will feel they now have the options to cope with the absentees and Paul Merson has told Arteta that one player simply must start the match.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton makes ‘sneaky’ Liverpool v Arsenal prediction that will be music to Gunners fans’ ears

Paul Merson tells Mikel Arteta to start Eberechi Eze against Liverpool

As per Sportskeeda, Merson has been giving his prediction before Arsenal’s trip to Merseyside and is adamant that new signing Eberechi Eze must be given his full debut for the club.

A draw is the likely outcome according to Merson but the former Gunners midfielder has expressed why he believes Eze is pivotal to Arteta’s side getting a result.

Merson stated: “Eberechi Eze should start this game and he’s a top player. Sometimes, when Liverpool go attack, attack, attack, it can be relentless for their opponents.

“That’s where you need players like Eze to keep hold of the ball. So if they play like they did at Old Trafford, this game will be over by half-time!”

The Gunners dominated the fixture last season but had to come from two goals down to snatch a draw with Mikel Merino getting the late goal.

Arteta could choose the ‘safe option’ against Liverpool by going with the Spanish midfielder once again alongside Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi but fans will want to see their new £68m star.

Eberechi Eze already has victory over Liverpool this season

Of course, Eze has already tasted victory over Liverpool this season in Crystal Palace’s Community Shield victory over Arne Slot’s side.

However, Liverpool have not been the most fruitful opponents for Eze over his career with the 27-year-old registering just one goal and assist in his eight appearances.

After a full week of training, Eze will be raring to go for his Arsenal debut and Arteta may be tempted to throw him in from the start.

Whether that is off the left or in the number ten role may depend on whether Martin Odegaard is available following a shoulder injury picked up in the Leeds game.