Arsenal will be without a number of key players ahead of this weekend’s clash against Liverpool. The two teams are separated by four points in what will undoubtedly be a key fixture in the early title race.
The Gunners come into the weekend’s game after bouncing back from the loss to Bournemouth. Arsenal beat Shakhtar midweek in the Champions League. Mikel Arteta’s men have only lost one game in all competitions this season.
Liverpool have also had a fantastic start under new manager Arne Slot. The Dutchman has led the Reds to seven wins out of their first eight Premier League games.
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka against Liverpool
– England v Greece, UEFA Nations League 2024/25, League B Group B2 Match, Wembley Stadium, London, UK – 10th October 2024. Daniel Weir / Crystal Pix Bukayo Saka of England & Arsenal receives medical treatment for an injury and is taken off as a substitute. – England v Greece, UEFA Nations League 2024/25, League B Group B2 Match, Wembley Stadium, London, UK – 10th October 2024. Daniel Weir / Crystal Pix London Wembley Stadium UK Copyright: xDanielxWeirx/xCrystalxPixx CP_England_Greece_75
The Gunners head into the weekend without Bukayo Saka, who has not played since picking up an injury on England duty.
His presence was felt in the game against Bournemouth as Arsenal failed to unlock the Cherries’ defence. Saka has seven assists this season, the most in the Premier League. The Gunners would need his help against Liverpool; Saka scored in the 3-1 win at the Emirates in April.
Mikel Arteta gave an update on Saka’s status ahead of the weekend:
“I don’t know [if Saka will be fit to face Liverpool],” Arteta told Amazon Prime Sport, after the 1-0 win over Shakhtar. “He hasn’t been able to train yet so that’s unlikely.”
William Saliba will also be missing for the Liverpool game after he picked up a red card against Bournemouth. It was the third time in the league this season where an Arsenal player has seen red; something Thomas Partey has urged his teammates to cut out.
Gunners have more injury concerns
Outside Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard is still nowhere near fit enough to be available for the game against Liverpool.
Riccardo Calafiori suffered a nasty looking knee injury in the game against Shakhtar; Mikel Arteta says the Italian’s situation is unknown at the moment:
“With Riccy it’s something different, he felt something,” said Arteta in the post-match press conference on Tuesday.
“I don’t know the extent of it so in that sense it’s not great news.”
