Arsenal’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Leeds was overshadowed by fresh injury concerns and a dramatic twist in the transfer market. Mikel Arteta confirmed that Eberechi Eze personally called him before finalising his move, while injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard left the Emirates faithful anxious ahead of next weekend’s showdown with Liverpool.
Arteta disclosed that Eze reached out last Wednesday to ask about the possibility of joining Arsenal rather than completing a switch to Tottenham. The Gunners acted swiftly, hijacking the deal by agreeing a £60 million fee plus £7.5m in add-ons with Crystal Palace. For Eze, who grew up supporting Arsenal and even spent time in their academy as a child, the choice was straightforward once the opportunity opened.
The attacking midfielder was unveiled to fans before kick-off and is expected to add flair, versatility, and creativity to the squad. Arteta praised his ability to play across several positions in attack, highlighting his “magic moments” and the charisma he brings to the pitch.
Despite the buzz around Eze’s arrival, attention quickly shifted to worrying scenes on the field. Bukayo Saka, who has struggled with hamstring issues in the past, was forced off after feeling discomfort while sprinting. Arteta admitted the issue “looked significant,” sparking fears that the winger could miss key fixtures. Ødegaard also suffered a shoulder knock, though his setback appeared less severe. Both players will undergo scans to determine the extent of the damage.
The match itself brought plenty of positives. Jurriën Timber scored twice, Viktor Gyökeres netted his first Arsenal goals – including a penalty won by academy prodigy Max Dowman – and Saka had already been on the scoresheet before being withdrawn. Dowman, just 15 years old, impressed with confidence and fearlessness on debut, drawing rave reviews from his manager.
While the convincing win kept Arsenal’s momentum intact, the looming trip to Anfield now feels more daunting with doubts over two of their most influential players. The coming week will prove crucial in determining whether Arteta can count on his captain and star winger, or whether Arsenal’s new signing Eze will be thrust into the spotlight sooner than expected.
