Eberechi Eze disagreement as Alan Shearer and Ian Wright question Mikel Arteta decision

Mikel Arteta's decision to leave Eberechi Eze out of Arsenal's starting XI against Liverpool raised plenty of eyebrows. The 27-year-old, who joined from Crystal Palace this summer, was named among the substitutes in the Gunners' 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

He was brought on mid-way through the second half, but was unable to prevent Liverpool snatching victory via Dominic Szoboszlai's stunning late free kick. With injuries forcing both Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard out of the starting line-up, many had expected Arteta to turn to his new signing to inject creativity into Arsenal's attack - but the manager chose otherwise.

The call baffled Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, though Gary Lineker was more understanding. "I was surprised with Arsenal not [starting] Eze," Shearer said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

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"I thought they'd ease him in," Gary Lineker argued, prompting Shearer to fire back: "Why would they need to ease him in? It's not as if he hasn't played - he's played all season. He's already played Liverpool."

"Good point," Lineker conceded. "I don't know. I just think that seems to be what they do now. You would think big new signing, get him in, bosh bosh.

"I was a bit frustrated. I wanted to see him play... but it just seems to be the way now, doesn't it? They come on, they'll have 30 minutes. The next game he'll probably start and get an hour."

Shearer added: "I was sat having a pint with Wrighty [Ian Wright], and Wrighty was like, 'Why is he not playing?' It's not like he hasn't been playing. He's up to speed. He's already played Liverpool this season.

"So I was slightly surprised he wasn't given the opportunity to go from the start. Because I thought he did alright when he came on. He was a bit of a threat."

Eze joined Arsenal last month in a £60million deal, potentially rising to £67.5m after the Gunners hijacked Tottenham's move for the England international. A boyhood Arsenal fan, Eze spent time in the club's academy as a youngster before spells at Fulham, Millwall, and eventually QPR, where he launched his senior career.

He was one of three attacking reinforcements signed by Arsenal this summer, alongside Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke - both of whom started on Sunday. The Gunners also strengthened elsewhere with the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and deadline-day loanee Piero Hincapie, taking their total summer outlay beyond the £250m mark.

Arsenal sit third in the Premier League after winning two of their opening three matches. They edged past Manchester United with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford before dismantling Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

While the defeat to Liverpool checked some of their early momentum, there remains plenty of cause for optimism as the Gunners prepare to resume domestic action after the international break. Next up is a home clash with Nottingham Forest, before Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign away to Athletic Bilbao.

Eze will be in line to make his Champions League debut, and after the debate surrounding his omission at Anfield, all eyes will be on whether Arteta unleashes his £60m signing from the start.