Mikel Arteta has some difficult team selection issues to overcome when it comes to preparing his Arsenal side to take on Liverpool.
Arsenal have already had to deal with several absences this season. This trend is set to continue on Sunday, when the Gunners will welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium.
Some players are known to be unavailable for this fixture. Club captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with injury, whilst William Saliba is suspended for this match having been sent off against Bournemouth last time out in the Premier League.
Meanwhile there are question marks over Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori.
Saka and Timber are doubts, whilst there is concern for Calafiori after he limped off against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening.
Ian Wright and Paul Scholes fear for Arsenal without Bukayo Saka
Arsenal legend Ian Wright and Manchester United icon Paul Scholes fear that Saka’s absence, if he is indeed ruled out for this game, could be the Gunners’ undoing.
Speaking on Stick to Football, Scholes asked: “Saka will be the biggest miss, won’t he?”
Wright responded: “Massively.”
Scholes then added: “He’s the one player that can create something on his own.”
The Hale End academy graduate is certainly a vital figure for the North London club. The statistics show that Saka is incredibly important to Arsenal, and is arguably the most productive attacking player in the Premier League as a whole.
Mikel Arteta will be desperately hoping that the 23-year-old is declared fit for action on Sunday, but will be preparing for the eventuality of having to take on the Merseyside outfit without the England international at his disposal.
How Arsenal can cope without Bukayo Saka against Liverpool
If Saka is sidelined on Sunday, then it is vital that Arteta selects the right player to replace him.
Arteta has options to replace Saka available to him, as Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus will be considered the most likely candidates to deputise on the right wing.
Whoever stands in for Saka, it is vital that they are able to both play on the front foot and cause a problem for the Liverpool defence, whilst also performing their defensive duties and pressing aggressively.
There will also be an onus on Gabriel Martinelli, on the opposite flank, to step up and make an impact in this match.
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