Mikel Arteta has expressed doubts over the availability of Bukayo Saka for Arsenal’s crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool this weekend.
The England international was again absent from the Gunners’ squad for Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
Saka has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during England’s recent international break.
He limped off during their Nations League defeat to Greece at Wembley.
After missing Arsenal’s 2-0 loss to Bournemouth last Saturday, Arteta has indicated that the winger is likely to miss Sunday’s showdown with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
He said: “At the moment I’m not very hopeful. Let’s see.
“We still have a few days.”
Speaking on Monday, Arteta said: “They [Martin Odegaard and Saka] are closer and both progressing really well.
“Martin is still not fit.
“With Bukayo, let’s see how he feels today and in the training session that we have later on.”
Arteta has acknowledged the need for his Arsenal side to address the increasing number of red cards, highlighted by William Saliba’s recent dismissal against Bournemouth for denying Evanilson a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
This marked the third red card in just eight Premier League matches this season, and notably, the three games in which players have been sent off are the only matches in which the Gunners have dropped points.
“Playing with 10 men is always an issue. The truth is when you analyse it they were different actions,” Arteta said.
“Regardless of that, we cannot continue to play with 10 men, especially at this level.
“When you want to win with 10 men for 65 minutes, the task becomes almost impossible.
“We need to eradicate that, it’s clear.”
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