Steven Gerrard has urged Mikel Arteta to start Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze in Arsenal’s Champions League semi final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Speaking to TNT Sports after Wednesday’s 1-1 first-leg draw at the Emirates, Gerrard said Arsenal cannot afford to leave “big-game players” on the bench if they want to reach the final.
Saka and Eze were introduced in the second half. Viktor Gyokeres scored for Arsenal before Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico, leaving the tie level ahead of the return leg in Madrid next week.
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Gerrard said Eze gives Arsenal “a spark” and that his unpredictability is needed to break down Atletico’s defense. “In the second leg, you’ve to get Eze on the pitch,” he said.
On Saka, Gerrard said the winger should be a guaranteed starter for matches of this level. He argued that Arsenal should rely on established players in knockout fixtures rather than tactical experiments.
Arsenal face Atletico in Madrid next week with the tie level at 1-1.
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