Arsenal may be missing as many as seven players for Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool, an obstacle Mikel Arteta would rather avoid given the match’s potential impact on the title race.
Though it’s still October, a win for first-place Liverpool would give them a seven-point lead over third-placed Arsenal, a gap that could prove difficult to close.
With Manchester City also poised to go six points above Arsenal if they win against struggling Southampton, Arteta will recognize the importance of avoiding a loss.
However, Arteta faces a number of absences and uncertainties in his squad. Captain Martin Odegaard, sidelined with an ankle injury since August 31, will not feature against Liverpool.
In a recent message, Odegaard shared that he’s making steady progress but acknowledges setbacks with his recovery.
Tuesday’s Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk added to Arteta’s concerns as Riccardo Calafiori exited with a knee injury.
Arteta commented Friday that further tests are needed, though prior scares have seen the defender recover quickly.
Arsenal’s defense is already strained. William Saliba is suspended following a red card in last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, and Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are both injured.
Though Jurrien Timber returned to training this week after nearly a month out, Arteta admitted he’s unlikely to be ready in time for Liverpool.
The Gunners also await updates on winger Bukayo Saka, sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during international duty.
Arteta noted Saka has done some light training but remains uncertain for Sunday’s match.
With Saka, Timber, and Calafiori missing Friday’s training, Arteta shared, “We’re doing everything we can to have them available, but it’s still very, very uncertain.”
