Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have to prepare for a crucial league clash against Liverpool without three key players due to injuries. The upcoming match carries significant stakes, as a Liverpool victory would extend their lead over Arsenal to seven points in the title race.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool side heads to the Emirates Stadium in impressive form, having enjoyed a near-perfect start to the 2024/25 season, with only a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest marring their record. This strong form will boost their confidence as they aim to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal, however, faces a major setback with a potential triple injury blow. Key players Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are all doubtful for the weekend encounter. The absences of Calafiori and Timber were anticipated, particularly with the Italian full-back struggling to recover from a knee injury sustained during a Champions League victory against Shakhtar Donetsk. Recent reports from Sky Sports indicate that the trio missed training sessions leading up to Sunday’s crucial match.
There is a silver lining, as reports from Italy, echoed by CaughtOffside, suggest that Calafiori’s knee issue is not as severe as initially feared. However, his return to fitness in time for the Liverpool game remains unlikely. As for Timber, while he was excluded from the Netherlands squad during the international break and missed Arsenal’s recent European fixture, there is a slim chance of him featuring on the weekend. Saka, on the other hand, appears to be struggling with a hamstring injury, making his involvement in the title clash doubtful.
Liverpool, too, has its own injury woes, with five players ruled out ahead of the weekend. Alisson Becker, the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined with a hamstring problem and will not feature against Arsenal. His absence is expected to continue into the following weeks, including the upcoming cup match against Brighton. Manager Arne Slot confirmed that Alisson’s recovery is progressing well but is not at an advanced stage.
Harvey Elliott, who suffered a fractured foot earlier in the season, is aiming for a November return. The young midfielder was initially hopeful of resuming training ahead of the previous game against Chelsea, but a comeback is now expected to take longer.
Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who sustained upper-body bruising during a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, is also set to miss out on the trip to north London. This should allow Darwin Nunez to continue leading the attack for Liverpool in his absence.
Federico Chiesa, another injury concern, may have a chance to train on Friday, potentially opening the door for some minutes on Sunday. Additionally, Conor Bradley could return to team training by Saturday, depending on his progress in regaining fitness.
Both sides will approach this high-stakes clash with depleted squads, making it a crucial test of depth and resilience. For Arsenal, the potential absence of Saka, Calafiori, and Timber presents a significant challenge, especially given Liverpool’s fine form. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s own injury list, headlined by Alisson’s unavailability, could impact their defensive stability.
The outcome of this match could play a pivotal role in shaping the title race, as Arsenal seeks to close the gap while Liverpool looks to establish a commanding lead at the summit of the Premier League.
