Arteta gives update on Rice, Calafiori, Madueke and Tzolis before Liverpool trip
Mikel Arteta stopped short of confirming whether Christos Tzolis, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke or Riccardo Calafiori would be available for Arsenal's trip to Anfield, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the squad just a day before kick off against Liverpool.
Calafiori, Madueke and Rice all missed the midweek Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town, as did Tzolis, who has not featured in any of Arsenal's last six matches since the season's first international break. All but Madueke trained on Friday, with all four expected to be out on the grass again on Saturday.
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Asked about their availability, Arteta said “if everything is OK” after the weekend session, then the three who trained on Friday “will be available” for Sunday's match. Madueke's situation remains less clear.
“We have a training session tomorrow,” Arteta said. “See if he can complete that full session tomorrow, and after that we'll know whether he's available or not.”
Saka ruled out, Saliba scan incoming
There was more definitive, and less welcome, news on Bukayo Saka. The winger is definitely out for the Liverpool match and now requires a further scan on his thigh, with Arteta acknowledging it is likely he will miss the remaining fixtures before the November international break.
The follow up scan is “to see how the amount of fluid that was there was resolving,” according to Arteta, who added that the club want to establish “whether the tendon is touched and how badly it is touched.” He said: “Afterwards, we know more,” before adding when pressed again, “We'll have to wait and see next week.”
William Saliba's recovery, meanwhile, appears to be on a more positive trajectory. Arteta said a fortnight ago that the defender is due “another MRI with him to see how the healing process is at the moment,” adding that “every sign so far has been very, very positive” and that it “will be great to have him” back.
Dowman suspended as Liverpool face their own doubts
Arsenal's only confirmed absentee through suspension rather than injury is Max Dowman, who will serve the first of a three match ban after the club's appeal against his red card at Fleetwood was unsuccessful.
Liverpool have their own fitness questions ahead of the match. Andoni Iraola has suggested Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz could return from injury, while there are doubts over Jeremy Jacquet after he did not appear to train on Friday. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike remain long term absentees, and Jeremie Frimpong, sidelined with a hamstring injury earlier this month, is unlikely to feature again before the international break.
Clarity on several of these situations is expected to arrive following Saturday's final training session, with team news due closer to kick off at Anfield.
Source: football.london
