£30m player’s Arsenal career is surely finished after telling Mikel Arteta decision vs Liverpool

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There were plenty of positives to take from Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool however, the game was a concern for one player.

Mikel Arteta had a squad dilemma in the build up to the blockbuster at the Emirates as several key players were ruled out.

Amongst those unavailable was captain Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori, taking two of the Gunners’ favoured back four out of contention.

The hosts were given a boost as Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka were fit to start although, more injury concerns plagued the squad during the fixture.

• READ MORE: Roy Keane left absolutely stunned by what ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal star did in frustrating Liverpool draw

Arsenal injury news after Liverpool draw

For the sixth time in nine games in the Premier League season, Arteta fielded a changed back four, with matters made worse by the end of the game.

The additional concern came as Timber left the field of play early due to what appeared to be cramp, with more worry coming from Gabriel Magalhaes’ substitution.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta provides Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes injury update after Arsenal draw vs Liverpool

The centre-back appeared to suffer a knee injury leaving him unable to run, as per Arteta’s post-match update.

An injury expert shared their verdict on Gabriel, with there now suspicion that the Brazilian might have suffered an MCL injury.

Due to the two blows, Arsenal finished the draw with a defensive line of Thomas Partey, Jakub Kiwior, Ben White and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, which spoke volumes about another squad player.

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s Arsenal career is surely over

Arteta showed his faith in Lewis-Skelly to introduce him against Liverpool, just as he did with Partey, playing the midfielder on the right side of the defence.

The manager’s decisions will come as a concern to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who despite being more qualified to play the fixture than those selected ahead of him, was ignored by Arteta.

Signed for £30m from Manchester City in 2022, Zinchenko was considered a crucial part of Arsenal’s resurgence to become a title challenging squad although, two years down the line and the Ukrainian is an outsider.

Arteta made such narrative clear against Liverpool, opting for several combinations, with not one including the 27-year-old.

With a contract that ends in 2026, Edu and Arteta should make a decision on the defender’s future promptly to avoid a free transfer, as it’s clearer than ever that Zinchenko is not in the boss’ plans.