Liverpool are set to face Arsenal on Sunday, with the Reds hoping to make it eight wins from nine and stay top of the Premier League at the expense of a title rival. However, Mikel Arteta’s side are facing their own set of problems, with injury and suspension threatening to derail their chances.
Arsenal are without a number of key players, including Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber, who were all missing from training on Friday. Saka, who has missed the last two games with a muscle injury, was considered a doubt for the game against Liverpool, and his absence from training suggests he will at least not be fit to start.
In addition, Martin Odegaard (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Kieran Tierney (hamstring), and William Saliba (suspension) are all on the injured list, leaving Arsenal with serious problems at the back.
The absence of Calafiori, Timber, and Tomiyasu means that Arsenal may struggle to deploy a cohesive backline, with questions marks over centre-back, left-back, and right-back. Ben White, who was tipped to shift to centre-back to cover for Saliba, may not be able to do so with Timber unavailable, and Thomas Partey may be forced to start at right-back, opening up a gap in midfield next to Declan Rice.
The options for left-back are also limited, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and 18-year-old midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly the only alternatives to Calafiori.
Mikel Arteta’s side also faces a problem in attack, with Gabriel Martinelli, Raheem Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus struggling to find form. Without Saka, Arteta may be forced to start two of these players, which could tip the balance of the game in Liverpool’s favour.
In conclusion, both teams are facing significant problems ahead of their clash, but Liverpool may be better equipped to cope with the challenges. Arsenal, on the other hand, are at risk of being undone by their injuries and suspensions. The outcome of the game is far from certain, but one thing is clear: it promises to be a fascinating and intense encounter.
