Gerrard urged Arteta to use the 'deadly duo' of Saka and Eze against Atletico Madrid.
Legendary Steven Gerrard believes Arsenal need Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze to break through Atletico Madrid's defense in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has sent a strong message to manager Mikel Arteta, insisting Arsenal must field Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze from the start in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. According to Gerrard, leaving the duo on the bench in the first leg was a decision that needed to be changed to secure a place in the final at the Emirates.
The creativity of Eberechi Eze
Following the dramatic 1-1 draw at the Metropolitano, where Viktor Gyokeres scored the crucial winning goal for the English side, Gerrard emphasized that Arsenal need more players capable of making a difference. Analyzing the situation on TNT Sports, the legend particularly praised the impact of new signing Eberechi Eze.
"I think in the second leg they have to bring Eze on. I believe he will bring a little more spark and power. To me, he looks a bit more dangerous," Gerrard commented on the player with impressive ball control and dribbling ability.
Use star players for big matches.
Besides Eze, Bukayo Saka's absence from the starting lineup in the first leg also caused much controversy. With Steven Gerrard in the lead, in a crucial Champions League semi-final, Arteta shouldn't risk excessive personnel changes but should instead rely on his top-class players.
When asked about the possibility of Saka returning to the starting lineup, the Premier League legend affirmed: "For me, yes. You have to use players for big games. It's understandable that Arteta wants to refresh the team's energy, but in this round of matches, you have to field your best players."
Declan Rice's foundation and ambitions after 19 years.
Despite not being entirely satisfied with the attacking firepower, Gerrard still had special praise for the defensive system, particularly the role of Declan Rice. The English midfielder had an outstanding performance, dropping deep to support the defense and helping Arsenal withstand the pressure from Atletico.
"Rice dominated both with and without the ball. The way he recovered and covered the pitch was truly impressive. It was another outstanding performance from him," Gerrard emphasized.
Arsenal currently have a historic opportunity to reach the Champions League final for the first time since 2006. In this season's group stage, the Gunners thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates. This gives fans hope that tactical adjustments from Arteta, suggested by Gerrard, will help the team overcome Diego Simeone's pragmatic squad.
