Latest: Arsenal attacker given huge opportunity to change Arteta’s plans

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Kickjolly · AI-written · automatically reviewed · CaughtOffside ↗

Bukayo Saka's latest quadriceps injury has given Eberechi Eze a chance to start regularly for Arsenal, as the club's manager Mikel Arteta faces weeks without his England international winger. Saka missed Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Everton, and Arteta confirmed the winger is likely to be sidelined for “weeks”. The exact recovery period is uncertain due to swelling around the affected muscle.

Eze has struggled to establish himself as an automatic starter under Arteta, starting just once in Arsenal’s opening seven Premier League matches. However, he has scored twice since the international break, including a goal after replacing Saka in Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich. Arteta remains impressed by Eze despite his limited league starts.

Saka's absence changes the equation for Eze, who now has an opportunity to start regularly and prove he can influence games. If Eze delivers during Saka’s absence, Arteta may face a different problem once Saka returns: finding a way to keep both players in the starting XI. Eze has expressed no intention of leaving Arsenal despite his reduced role.