Arsenal will be without five players for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces key decisions as he battles significant injury concerns. They host Liverpool on Sunday; with the Reds fresh from a stretch of wins in the Premier League, Arne Slot’s squad is approaching north London buoyed by seven victories out of their last eight league matches.
With central defender William Saliba out following his red card at Bournemouth, there’s a chance Arteta may be missing several key players. The fitness of Bukayo Saka is particularly troubling, as the young star hasn’t played since suiting up for England against Greece more than a fortnight ago.
The availability of Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori also hangs in the balance ahead of the crucial clash. “We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available. But it’s very, very uncertain,” Arteta said on Friday.
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On Saka, he added: “He’s done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday is another question. We have another day which is a good thing, because this week had an extra day. We will see”
Football London suggests that they are guaranteed to be without seven players. But Arteta remained tight-lipped regarding Timber and Calafiori. The Spaniard said: “Timber, it was the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out for a while. We expected him to be further along than he is at the moment. Again we will have to see.”
“He [Riccardo Calafiori] needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more. After that we will know. Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later. So let’s see.”
Saka and Timber may have a slightly better chance of making the matchday squad than Calafiori, but it’s safe to say all three are major doubts for the clash against Liverpool and could instead be watching the game from the stands. One player who definitely won’t be involved is Martin Odegaard.
The Gunners captain continues his recovery from a foot injury, with Arteta admitting the next few days are crucial in his recovery. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are the only other two absentees.
So, considering the above, it seems that Arsenal will definitely be without Odegaard, Tierney, Tomiyasu and Saliba, while Saka, Timber and Calafiori are major doubts for the clash. This likely means Arteta will not be able to call upon seven senior players on Sunday.
According to the official Arsenal website, the Gunners have 15 fit and eligible senior players available for selection for the game vs Liverpool. As per Premier League rules, a club is allowed to name a squad of 20 players for a Premier League match, which means several academy stars will need to step up.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly will likely be included in the matchday squad once again, with the pair now regularly training with the first team. There are even calls for Lewis-Skelly to be handed a start at left-back given the club’s injury crisis.
Zane Monlouis and Maldini Kacurri could provide additional defensive options from the bench, while Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has already been included in several matchday squads this season. The forward has netted five times and provided two assists in six Premier League 2 appearances.
The potential Arsenal squad for Liverpool could include: Raya, Neto; Gabriel, Kiwior, White, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Monlouis, Kacurri; Partey, Rice, Merino, Jorginho, Nwaneri; Trossard, Sterling, Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli, Butler-Oyedeji.
Senior players who are unavailable for Liverpool include: Odegaard (ankle injury), Tomiyasu (knee injury), Tierney (hamstring injury), Saliba (suspended), Saka (foot injury – doubt), Timber (muscle injury – doubt), Calafiori (knee injury – doubt).
