Saka out until December as Arsenal face fresh fitness worries before Liverpool
Arsenal are heading into Sunday's Premier League trip to Anfield with a lengthy and complicated injury list, just days after a shock Carabao Cup exit at League Two side Fleetwood Town. Mikel Arteta is expected to provide a fuller picture at his pre-match press conference on Friday, but football.london has detailed the latest situation on several key players.
Saka facing lengthy absence
The most significant blow remains Bukayo Saka, who is unlikely to be available until early December at the earliest because of a quad issue, with some suggestions the injury could keep him out until late December or even early January. According to football.london, initial intelligence suggests Saka will miss a minimum of six weeks, with his possible return date pencilled in for Arsenal's home game against Real Madrid on December 9.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
William Saliba is also still working his way back after suffering a back injury that forced him off during the World Cup semi finals. He has been doing individual training on the grass this month as part of his rehabilitation, and the expectation is that he will be held back until after the international break, with a possible return date against Newcastle away on November 21.
Calafiori a doubt, Rice expected to be fine
Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt for the trip to Liverpool after picking up a problem in the closing stages of last weekend's win over Everton, reportedly in an accidental collision with an opponent. He was seen holding his hip and stomach during that match, and Noni Madueke had to finish the game at left back because Calafiori was unable to perform certain actions. Club sources have remained tight lipped on the exact nature of the issue, which medical staff have continued to assess throughout the week, according to football.london.
Arteta confirmed after the Fleetwood defeat that both Calafiori and Declan Rice were unavailable having picked up issues against Everton. Rice was seen clutching his right hamstring before being substituted, but he has since been pictured back in training on Monday and is currently expected to be fine for the weekend.
Madueke himself was also missing at Fleetwood, with Arteta confirming the England international was left out due to an ankle problem. That absence is understood to be precautionary, with no major concern over a lay off given Madueke played the full 90 minutes against Everton.
Tzolis close, Merino expected to feature
Christos Tzolis is pushing to be involved against Liverpool following the hamstring strain he suffered on international duty with Greece, and as football.london reported last week, he has a chance of returning in some capacity this weekend, which would be his first appearance since the international break.
Mikel Merino did not even travel to Fleetwood after suffering from illness, with Arteta choosing to rest him ahead of the Anfield clash, but he is expected to be ready to feature on Sunday.
Arsenal will hope to have as many of this group available as possible for what is a significant away fixture against a Liverpool side newly energised under Andoni Iraola.
