Mail Sport: Saka's injury gives Eberechi Eze the chance to prove himself

The Daily Mail reports that Bukayo Saka's injury withdrawal gives Eberechi Eze a chance to prove himself.

Saka's quadriceps injury is a significant blow to Arsenal and will weigh heavily on Arteta's mind.

In the 8th minute, Saka went down after an awkward pass and clutched his thigh in pain. It didn't take a medical expert to see that this was an immediate concern.

The winger quickly signaled to the bench, and the Arsenal medical staff rushed on to check him. He was grimacing with his hands on his thigh.

They soon helped the key player off the pitch. Arteta did not downplay the situation after the match, saying: "The staff are a bit worried. It's never good news when a player has to be substituted because of severe pain."

He later added: "It doesn't look good at all. It's his quadriceps, and we'll have to wait for the scan results."

With Noni Madueke already sidelined, the Gunners can ill afford a problem on the other flank. How long Saka will be out is uncertain, and Arsenal's best attacks usually run through him.

He is relied upon not just for goals and assists, but also for his ability to push Timber forward and pull defenders out of their usual positions.

That also creates more space for players like Ødegaard to play those penetrating through balls to the front line.

Havertz also benefits from Saka's play in tight spaces and his crosses, so this injury affects more than just the right wing.

Attention turns first to Arsenal's summer business. They kept Gabriel Martinelli and Trossard but brought in only one wide player, Noni Madueke, so they looked short of options on the wings from the start.

Fans have long pointed this out, and it may prove to be a serious oversight.

But Saka's absence has opened the door for Eberechi Eze. He seized his opportunity at the Allianz Arena, coming on for Saka in the 10th minute and putting in a fearless performance.

He constantly looked for ways into dangerous areas and was rewarded with a goal of exceptional quality, which showed why Arsenal wanted him in the first place, even though his performance dipped later in the game.

Ødegaard played a superb ball over the top to Eberechi Eze, who stayed calm. Given the scrutiny he had been under since being substituted at halftime against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, the easy option would have been to rush the shot.

Instead of stretching to meet the ball, he let it roll into a comfortable position and then struck it, a quick low shot that beat Neuer and went into the net.

It was far from an easy finish, and it reflected what Eberechi Eze has been at Arsenal so far: a player who thrives on moments of brilliance. He can produce top-class finishes and inspiring performances, like against Bayern or every time he faces Tottenham Hotspur, but they are interspersed with spells of uninspired play.

His display against Bayern showed Eberechi Eze at his best, and now he needs to step up when Arsenal need him most. That means consistent displays that match his talent, not just the occasional good performance.

If he needs inspiration, he can look to Viktor Gyökeres. The Swede has also often been on the bench and was often seen as being out of the team's plans.

But he put that aside and caused Bayern a lot of trouble after coming on in the 69th minute. He constantly harried the defense with his runs and held off a defender to set up Rice, helping Arsenal equalize.

It shows that in a talented Arsenal squad, you never know when your opportunity will come.

For Eberechi Eze, the chance to prove his true worth has arrived.