---
title: "Arsenal injury news: Rice, Madueke and Calafiori concerns ahead of Liverpool clash"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2026/10/28/arsenal-injury-news-rice-madueke-calafiori-liverpool-anfield/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lucie Turner"
section: "Arsenal Injury News"
published: "2026-10-28T12:46:13Z"
modified: "2026-10-28T12:46:14Z"
---

# Arsenal injury news: Rice, Madueke and Calafiori concerns ahead of Liverpool clash

Arsenal injury news has been in the headlines ahead of their visit to Anfield. Mikel Arteta confirmed Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori were all sidelined for their Carabao Cup clash against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday.

The Premier League champions lost 5-3 on penalties following their 1-1 draw at Highbury Stadium. Arsenal will face Liverpool at 4.30pm on Sunday. They have a number of injury concerns, plus a suspended teenager to deal with.

## **Arsenal injury news: the latest on Rice, Madueke, Calafiori and Saka**

When questioned if the three players had just been rested, Arteta replied that Calafiori was unavailable. Madueke had issues with his ankle and Rice was “feeling something on the previous day”, making visible the reason why he has been substituted.

Martin Zubimendi replaced Rice in Saturday’s game when he substituted the player in the 80th minute of the game versus Everton due to Rice grabbing his hamstring. Madueke played till the end of the game. However, he was not spotted in training Monday, and Arteta did not provide any estimation for his return.

Calafiori appears to be in a better place. After being described as having a ‘slight issue’ by Arteta following the Everton game. DaveOCKOP reports that the defender is expected to be available against Anfield.

Winger Christos Tzolis has also been ruled out for five games with a hamstring injury. We’re likely to get an update on how all three are feeling going into the game from Arteta’s pre-match press conference.

Bukayo Saka is still sidelined with a quadriceps injury picked up against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Arteta said the injury will take “weeks” to recover from, as he needs another scan due to fluid around the area. William Saliba has not played this season due to a back issue and is unlikely to return until December.

## **Arsenal injury news compounded by Dowman ban after Fleetwood red card**

Arsenal’s problems were deepened at Highbury. Aaron Loupalo-Bi put Fleetwood ahead in the 21st minute. Viktor Gyokeres equalised five minutes after the restart, shortly after captain Martin Odegaard came on at half-time. Max Dowman was then sent off in the 85th minute for kicking out at Fleetwood’s Harrison Neal.

The 16-year-old will serve a three-match ban, reportedly covering the trip to Liverpool, the home game against Hull and the visit to Newcastle.

Fleetwood scored all five penalties. Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gyokeres converted for Arsenal. Goalkeeper Jay Lynch saved Bruno Guimaraes’ effort, and 19-year-old defender Conor Haughey scored the winner. It was reportedly the first time the reigning top-flight champions have lost a League Cup tie to a fourth-tier side. There’s 84 places separating the clubs.

Arteta said the result was not down to attitude. “I’m sad, we’re all sad,” he said.