Arsenal lineup against Liverpool likely to be similar as against Forest | OneFootball

Arsenal face having to field a similar lineup against Liverpool as the side that shamed themselves at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

With Arsenal’s next game against Liverpool at Anfield, it is unlikely that we will see any major changes in personnel to the team that took to the field against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but failed to turn up.

Granit Xhaka, much derided by the Swiss media for picking up Covid a few months ago, due to being unvaccinated, has it again.

Given that he played against Manchester City, let’s assume his positive test came back on Monday. 10 days takes him to Thursday, although in England he can free himself from isolation with a negative result on day six and seven.

Folarin Balogun, his move to Middlesbrough on loan now on hold due to his Covid positive result, is in a similar boat.

has a tight calf, while Emile Smith Rowe has a tight groin.

Both are doubts for the game, according to Mikel Arteta, who spoke to the media after Arsenal’s latest embarrassment.

“I don’t know,” Arteta replied when asked about Xhaka’s availability for Liverpool. “It will depend on the next few days and how he’s feeling.

“They were injured [Tomiyasu and Smith Rowe] and they couldn’t play. Gabi was suspended. I’ll have to see in the next few days how they were.”

Gabriel has, at least, served his suspension, so will be back in the fold.

Arsenal are also without Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe who are all at AFCON.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also there, but he’s also in isolation after testing positive and wouldn’t be picked for Arsenal regardless of those two things.