Arsenal may be without Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori for Sunday’s crucial match against Liverpool, as the trio missed open training on Friday.
The Gunners are already dealing with the injury of captain Martin Odegaard, leaving them with a potentially stretched squad for the weekend.
Mikel Arteta indicated earlier this week that Saka’s chances of recovering from a muscle injury sustained during international duty are “close.” Timber, on the other hand, has not featured since October 1.
To complicate matters, William Saliba is suspended after being sent off against Bournemouth last Saturday.
Additionally, Calafiori suffered a knee injury during Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk and, like Saka and Timber, was absent from training on Friday.
Ben White has made a successful recovery from his recent setback and has started the last two matches for Arsenal.
However, Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a doubt, while Kieran Tierney is still sidelined due to a long-term ankle injury.
This situation leaves White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Jakub Kiwior as the only defenders confirmed to be available for manager Mikel Arteta.
Saliba and Gabriel have partnered in every Premier League match this season.
Kiwior, who was substituted twice in the match against Bournemouth, is a natural centre-back, while White can also play centrally, although he hasn’t done so in over a year.
Arsenal have struggled in the absence of Bukayo Saka, scoring just once in the two matches without him, with that lone goal being an own goal against Shakhtar.
This season, Saka has made a significant impact, recording seven assists and three goals in ten matches.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard is progressing in his recovery from a ligament injury but was never expected to feature against Liverpool at the Emirates.
The details of the latest setback affecting Jurrien Timber – who missed almost the entirety of last season due to a cruciate ligament tear – remain unclear.
Look away Arsenal fans 🫣
Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber are not in training today ahead of Sunday's game against Liverpool ❌pic.twitter.com/ERfFZQkI1D
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 25, 2024
More to follow…
Read more: Arne Slot previews Arsenal vs Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly ‘playing through pain’ for Liverpool
