Injuries and suspensions have been a defining aspect of the Gunners’ campaign this season. With the Liverpool clash just around the corner, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta might miss seven senior players if things end up south.
Arteta’s men have built some momentum at the Emirates after an away loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Londoners came out on top as they beat Shakhtar Donetsk in a UEFA Champions League fixture last week.
A narrow win over the Ukrainian giants has set a good tone for upcoming home games at the Emirates. However, the injury crisis might make things sour for Arteta as they welcome Liverpool at home today.
Arsenal player news
Bukayo Saka remains unavailable since his injury against Greece (Credits: Imago Images)
Adding suspension to injuries, Mikel Arteta will have a hard time setting up a lineup against the Reds. The Spanish manager still hadn’t selected his XI a day before the clash.
One player sure to miss the clash is Frenchman William Saliba. The defender picked up a red and a three-match ban against Bournemouth which he’ll start serving from today.
The Gunners have lost points in every match they’ve seen red so the players will be hoping to stay on the good side of referees today. Failure to do so might push them back seven points against the Reds.
Martin Ødegaard is another guaranteed miss for today’s game. The Norwegian is recovering from a foot injury as his absence was felt against the Cherries.
Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are doubtful as Arteta will be waiting for a green light from the medical team.
“We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available. But it’s very, very uncertain”, the Spaniard told the media.
There were no updates regarding Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney. Arteta will be hoping to have at least Timber and Calafiori back playing left-back and centre-back respectively.
Timber is Arsenal’s best bet against Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah. Calafiori on the other hand will be suitable in the centre as putting him on the left flank will only invite danger due to his lack of speed.
Academy stars to step up against Liverpool
This will not be Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s first call up to the senior squad (Credits: Imago Images)
If Arsenal manage to miss seven players, there will be no senior options remaining to fill in five roles. Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Zane Monlouis, Maldini Kacurri and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji will be expected to make the matchday squads in the worst-case scenario.
Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and Butler-Oyedeji won’t be making the senior squads for the first. However, this time will be different as they might be called upon at any time against arguably the best team in the league.
