Mikel Arteta issues big update on Saka, Calafiori & Timber ahead of Liverpool clash | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update ahead of the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Gunners returned to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, but their performance was unconvincing.

Leandro Trossard missed the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot. Arsenal could have shared the spoils in stoppage time, but David Raya made a splendid save to deny Pedrinho.

The Gunners now face a tough challenge against high-flying Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, and they could be without several high-profile players for the encounter.

Martin Odegaard has already been ruled out with an ankle injury while William Saliba will also miss the game after his straight red card at Bournemouth.

Arteta has now provided an update on Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, who were not spotted in training in today’s morning session, he told reporters (via football.london):

“We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available,” Arteta said. “It’s very, very uncertain.”

When asked to be more specific on Calafiori, Arteta said: “He needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more.

“Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later.”

He added on Saka: “He’s done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday is another question. We will see.”

On Timber, he concluded: “It was the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out a while. We thought he would be further ahead.”

Arsenal suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss at Bournemouth last weekend. They started off nervously, and the Cherries were handed a huge advantage by Saliba’s sending-off.

Gabriel Martinelli had a big chance to score coming off the bench. His miss proved costly as the Cherries broke the deadlock soon after. The hosts doubled their advantage from the penalty spot.

Jakub Kiwior made a high-profile error in the lead-up to the goal and was soon substituted. The Pole could line up in defence against Liverpool on Sunday with the ongoing injury concerns.

He could partner Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence with Ben White at right-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko or Myles Lewis Skelly could operate on the left side of the back four.

Arteta has already dropped a huge hint that the latter could get the nod on Sunday.

Arsenal can ill-afford to lose against the Reds at the weekend. A defeat would put them seven points behind the Merseyside outfit, which would be a huge blow in the title race.