Arsenal will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth when they face Liverpool on Sunday, but their mounting injury crisis may just impact their hopes of success.
It’s been a tough week for the north London side – who fell to defeat at the Vitality Stadium before relying on an own goal to better Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League just days later.
They’ve been without their captain and creative force Martin Odegaard since September’s international break and have been forced to endure recent fixtures without the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori. William Saliba is also ruled out to face Liverpool after picking up a suspension against Bournemouth.
Here’s the team Mikel Arteta could pick for Sunday’s clash with Liverpool.
GK: David Raya – Since his arrival at the Emirates last season, former Brentford shot-stopper Raya has been an integral member of Arteta’s team. With Saliba and Calafiori set to miss out due to injury, Arteta will need a leader like Raya between the sticks.
RB: Ben White – Arteta admitted that his decision to haul off White from the Champions League clash with Shakhtar midweek was purely precautional to avoid the defender being shown a red card. It makes sense to start the England international at right-back.
CB: Gabriel – Gabriel will be forced to lead the backline without his trusty partner Saliba when the Gunners host Liverpool. He’s expected to be a key part of Arteta’s squad, having featured in all eight league matches prior.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – Arteta has relied on Kiwior to step in at centre-back in the absence of other players before and may well look to do so again. He impressed against Liverpool last season, but may struggle against the likes of Mohamed Salah this time.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – Arsenal youngster Lewis-Skelly has proven that he has the talent and capability to play in big matches, and with more senior members of the squad unlikely to be fit, this could be the perfect chance for the 18-year-old to stake his claim.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey impressed during Arsenal’s clash with Shakhtar and is expected to make the starting lineup when his side face Liverpool. His recent outings have been significantly better than those at the start of the season.
CM: Declan Rice – Rice will undoubtedly feature in the centre of midfield for Arsenal and will be expected to step up in the absence of other members of the team. His ability to facilitate hold up play and win the ball back from his opponent may prove key in this game.
CM: Leandro Trossard – Trossard’s ability to play in midfield, as well as upfront, may secure him a spot in the squad on Sunday. Mikel Merino’s first start for Arsenal came against Bournemouth, and while he worked well with just ten players, it’s expected that Trossard will start this fixture instead.
RW: Bukayo Saka – If Saka is fit to face Liverpool, and that’s looking like a big if at the moment, then he will start on the right wing. Arsenal will need a character like Saka on the pitch if they hope to get anything past Liverpool’s impenetrable defence.
ST: Kai Havertz – Havertz has registered six goals so far this season, four of which have come in the Premier League. If he wants to impress and prove himself in a tough fixture like this, he’ll work to add even more to his arsenal.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal’s front three seem pretty set in stone, with Martinelli the last to occupy a spot in Arteta’s attacking lineup. The Italian has proven to shake up players like Trent Alexander-Arnold in the past, and could do so again on Sunday.
