On Sunday, Arsenal will host Liverpool in the top match – but not without personnel concerns.
“We are charged, we are playing at home against Liverpool,” said Gunners coach Mikel Arteta ahead of the clash with the Reds, stressing that the Londoners want to appear “dominant” on Sunday, after all, they have done so “in the past” and also recently.
“For things to go our way, though, we also have to show the appropriate attitude,” emphasized the Spaniard: ‘In a big game like this, you have to play with faith, energy and commitment.’
The Gunners will not be able to go into the game completely carefree, however, as one or two players are still feeling the effects of injury. Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are all uncertain. “We will do our best to get them available,” said Mikel Arteta, but did not want to make any firm promises. It is simply too early for that.
It’s still not certain
The biggest concern is likely to be the lightning-fast Saka, who is struggling with thigh problems. The 23-year-old has been able to “train a little” on the grass, revealed the 42-year-old: “But how far we get him by Sunday is another question. We’ll see.”
Calafiori, who twisted his knee in training during the week, needs further tests, and they will know more on Saturday. The same applies to Timber, who, like Saka, was able to train again after his muscle problems, but with whom they don’t want to take any risks. There were no updates on Martin Ödegaard (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (thigh).
Defender William Saliba will definitely be out of the game after being sent off against Bournemouth (0-2). “He’s played every game,” said Mikel Arteta, “but he’s not available. We have to find another solution, which is something we have to be good at as a team anyway.”