Gerrard tells Arteta to start Eze, Saka vs Atletico in UCL second leg
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to start England internationals Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka in the second‑leg Champions League semi‑final against Atletico Madrid next week. Gerrard’s comment came after the first leg ended in a 1‑1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez scoring the goals. Both Eze and Saka were introduced from the bench in the second half of that match.
Gerrard told TNT Sports that Eze brings ‘that little bit more spark’ and looks ‘more dangerous’, while Saka is a ‘big‑game player’ who should start the return fixture. Arteta had left both players out of the starting XI for the first leg, a decision that contributed to the stalemate.
The advice matters because Arsenal now need a win or a higher‑scoring draw to reach the final, and inserting Eze and Saka could add attacking impetus against a disciplined Atletico side. For fans, it signals a potential tactical shift that could influence the tie’s outcome and the players’ chances of featuring prominently.
If Arteta heeds Gerrard’s suggestion, will the added attacking threat break down Atletico’s defence, or will the Gunners stick with the current lineup and hope for a different result?