Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal trio Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are “very, very uncertain” to play against Liverpool on Sunday.
The Arsenal manager said on the 22-year-old Calafiori, who appeared to suffer an injury in the midweek Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk: “He needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some and he needs some more.”
Saka, 23, missed Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth last Saturday and the Champions League victory against Shakhtar, with Arteta saying of the England international: “He has done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him to Sunday, that’s another question.”
Netherlands defender Timber, who was involved in Arsenal’s first six Premier League matches but has subsequently been on the sidelines with a muscular injury, is also a doubt to play, according to Arteta.
“It is the first session that he (Timber) could have some involvement,” Arteta said on Friday. “We expected him to be further back (in his rehab).”
The potential absence of Saka is a significant blow for Arsenal. He has been an integral player for the north London side this season, particularly in the absence of captain Martin Odegaard, who has been out with an ankle injury since September.
Saka has scored two goals and provided a league-high seven assists in seven Premier League games this season. He has also worn the captain’s armband on several occasions.
The winger has scored in both of Arsenal’s home league victories over Liverpool in the last two seasons, netting twice in the 3-2 victory at Emirates Stadium in October 2022.
Arsenal are four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool in the standings and Arteta’s side could drop as low as sixth after this matchday, depending on results elsewhere.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are without goalkeeper Alisson and forward Diogo Jota for the match in north London.
(Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
