Arsenal face a major test of their Premier League title credentials when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta waiting on several key players ahead of the Anfield clash.
The Gunners will be looking to bounce back after a shock defeat in the Carabao Cup midweek against Fleetwood Town. However, injuries have hampered their preparations ahead of the big clash with four players injured.
Noni Madueke, Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis are all in doubt for the game against Liverpool and could affect Arteta’s decision when selecting his team.
Saka absence leaves Arsenal short of attacking options
Saka will miss Sunday’s Premier League fixture because of a quad injury, leaving Arsenal without one of their most important attacking players.
Madueke could provide a timely boost after missing the Fleetwood defeat with an ankle problem. The injury is not believed to be serious, and Arsenal hope the winger will recover in time to face Liverpool.
The prospect of him returning is important as Max Dowman is suspended after receiving a red card against Fleetwood. Arsenal will appeal against it, but there is no guarantee that it will be decided by Sunday’s game.
Tzolis is also set to return soon. However, it is not clear whether he will be fit for the clash with Liverpool.
Arsenal have a disappointing midweek performance to overcome and need to make sure they utilise their attacking options. Both Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres struggled against Fleetwood.
Havertz had a difficult evening; however, Arteta can still include the German in one of the most important fixtures of the season.
Rice and Calafiori fitness concerns
Rice will be another major talking point heading into Arsenal’s visit to Merseyside.
The midfielder was absent for the Fleetwood game after appearing to have hamstring issues in his appearance against Everton last weekend, but there is hope that he can be in the squad on Sunday.
It would give Arteta a real boost in the midfield going up against Liverpool.
Calafiori is also a doubt. He sustained an injury in the latter stages of Arsenal’s win against Everton. The extent of the injury has not been confirmed.
If the Italian fails to recover in time, then Myles Lewis-Skelly could be brought in to play as left back. However, the Gunners will have to see how Calafiori is before they decide what backline they’ll be using.
William Saliba is also out with an injury.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Liverpool
Arsenal are expected to make several changes to the side that lost to Fleetwood, but Madueke and Rice have to prove their fitness.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Guimaraes; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz.
Injured: William Saliba, Bukayo Saka.
Doubts: Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Christos Tzolis.
Suspended: Max Dowman.
When is Liverpool vs Arsenal?
Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The game kicks off at 8pm GMT.
The game will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Arteta will have some key decisions to make ahead of the game after Saka was ruled out and a number of players are fighting to be fit. Arsenal will be hoping to put their Carabao Cup disappointment behind them and put in a better performance.
Comments.
Loading comments…