Unfortunately for Arsenal, injuries have already played a big part in their season thus far – Mikel Arteta’s luck has certainly not improved in that regard.
Riccardo Calafiori was forced off with a knee injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Calafiori seems likely to miss the Liverpool game after twisting his knee in the second half, a bitter blow for Arteta would probably intended for the Italian to match up against Mohamed Salah.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has a terrible record against Salah, a reason for concern at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka injury update ahead of Liverpool
Arguably Arsenal’s most important player, Bukayo Saka was sorely missed against Bournemouth, and the Gunners also failed to replicate his creativity against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Saka appeared to injure his hamstring whilst playing for England against Greece, not featuring since.
Arteta said he wasn’t hopeful of Saka being fit to face Liverpool after Tuesday evening’s win, a worrying update for fans.
Martin Odegaard injury latest
Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard hasn’t played since limping off during a 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of August.
It seems very unlikely that Odegaard will play any role against Liverpool on Sunday.
Norway’s media expect Odegaard to miss out, and they’re even worried about the national team captain being fit for their international ties in mid-November.
Riccardo Calafiori injury concern for Liverpool
Unfortunately, Calafiori injured his knee as mentioned against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Speaking at his press conference after the game, Arteta said: “With Riccy it’s something different, he felt something, I don’t know the extent of that so in that sense it’s not great news.”
The Italian has suffered significant knee injuries in the past, and although fans will hope this isn’t anything major, it seems very improbable that Calafiori will be ready for Liverpool.
- READ MORE: Gabriel Martinelli believes £30m Arsenal star has now become one of the best players in the world
Jurrien Timber injury update
Perhaps Jurrien Timber has the best chance of facing Liverpool out of all of the names mentioned thus far.
Timber was injured before the international break and therefore didn’t go away with the Netherlands.
Arteta hasn’t given an update on Timber since the Shakhtar Donetsk game, but prior to the Dutchman missing the tie he said: “It is going to be close. We have to see how he deals with training with the whole group. But he is pretty close.”
Therefore, it remains a possibility that Timber will make the game.
Takehiro Tomiyasu fitness concerns
It’s a familiar story for Takehiro Tomiyasu who is once again injured at Arsenal despite returning against Southampton.
Prior to facing Bournemouth, Arteta confirmed that the Japan international had suffered a set-back, saying he wasn’t sure how long he’d be out for.
Arteta said: “We don’t know that. It doesn’t look like, hopefully, a long period but we have to see when he comes back how he reacts to the load and to the impact on the pitch as well.
“But we really need him. He has been incredible, his work rate, the amount of hours he has put in to get back.
“He did it and he was in great shape – and now he has got something else again. But, we are all behind him. He needs our support and hopefully he will be fine.”
Is Kieran Tierney injured?
Kieran Tierney hasn’t been in action since a serious hamstring injury ended his efforts for Scotland at Euro 2024 and also curtailed any chance of leaving Arsenal this summer.
Tierney appears to be in some kind of individual training but it’s hard to decipher a return date for the Scot right now, who might never play for Arsenal again regardless.
Tierney is being linked with a return to Celtic, and might even make the move back home in January.
William Saliba red card and suspension
He’s not injured (thankfully), but William Saliba will miss the Premier League tie with Liverpool owing to suspension.
Saliba was shown a straight red for a last-man foul against Bournemouth and will serve his one-game ban here.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
