Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates this weekend with Mikel Arteta set to be without a number of key players.
It was another problematic international break for the Gunners this month having lost Martin Odegaard to a ‘significant ankle injury’ during September’s break.
Bukayo Saka was forced off while playing for England against Greece, missing last Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth as a result and Tuesday’s Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Arteta confirmed on Tuesday night Saka is still not back in training and is ‘unlikely’ to feature against Liverpool. Odegaard is also still working on his recovery with November a more likely timescale for his return.
There are also growing problems at the back. William Saliba will miss the next three games a result of the straight red card he was shown at the Vitality Stadium last weekend.
Riccardo Calafiori would have been the most likely candidate to step in and replace the France international. But the former Bologna star is himself a doubt after he was forced off midway through the second-half against Shakhtar with a knee problem, with Arteta bleakly describing the situation as ‘not great news’.
Calafiori has been used at left-back since being brought into the team and his absence will serve as a major blow particularly with doubts over Jurrien Timber.
The Dutchman has been excellent this season in both full-back roles but has not featured since the 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the month and could still be unavailable this weekend.
There were also fears for Ben White after he was replaced at half-time on Tuesday night but Arteta later confirmed that change was a tactical one.
Injuries for Calafiori and Timber create a real problem at left-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko only just returning from injury – having also been tormented by Mohamed Salah in the same fixture last season. Lewis Skelly was also called upon ahead of the Ukrainian against Shakhtar, replacing Calafiori at left-back.
Jakub Kiwior is also an option but the Poland international struggled coming off the bench following Saliba’s red at Bournemouth. There is plenty for Arteta to mull over with Thomas Partey also called upon to drop into a right-back role this season.
Liverpool are in Champions League action against RB Leipzig on Wednesday night before their trip to the capital. Arne Slot remains without first choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker who is expected to be sidelined until late November with a hamstring injury.
Summer signing Federico Chiesa remains on the sidelines along with Harvey Elliot and Conor Bradley and there is also fresh concern over Diogo Jota. The Portugal international was forced off last weekend against Chelsea, suffering ‘bruising’ after a collision with Tosin Adarabioyo.
Jota did not travel with the Liverpool squad to Germany this week and will be assessed in the coming days ahead of that trip to north London. His absence will likely see Darwin Nunez handed the chance to lead the line again.
Raya, Partey, White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, Jorginho, Merino, Trossard, Havertz, Martinelli
Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Diaz, Nunez
Arsenal vs Liverpool kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 27 October.
Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event and available to stream on Sky Go and NOW TV for subscribers.
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