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Seven Arsenal players could miss Liverpool clash

The Gunners will host Liverpool on Sunday

Arsenal could be missing up to seven players for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool, adding to the pressure on Mikel Arteta ahead of a game that could significantly impact the title race.

Although it’s still early in the season, a victory for table-topping Liverpool would put them seven points ahead of third-placed Arsenal – an advantage that, at this stage, could be insurmountable.

Additionally, the relentless pursuit of four-time defending champions Manchester City, who could leap from second to first with a home win against struggling Southampton on Saturday, emphasises the importance of at least securing a draw for Arsenal.

Arteta will feel the weight of this challenge, especially with several key players either sidelined or doubtful for the match.

Captain Martin Odegaard has been out of action since August 31 due to a serious ankle injury sustained while on international duty with Norway.

He is ruled out for the clash against Liverpool. In his program notes for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium, Ødegaard expressed his determination to return.

He said: “I’ve been working very hard on my recovery in the past few weeks, and missing out on big Champions League nights like this just makes me more determined and motivated to get back as soon as possible.

“I’m feeling better and better each day, but when it’s an ankle injury you have ups and downs as well.

“Some days you feel really good, and then sometimes you can have a little reaction.

“But in general it’s getting better and I feel like I’m getting closer now.”

It was a costly night for Mikel Arteta, as he witnessed Riccardo Calafiori limp off with a knee injury in the second half.

At his press conference on Friday, the Arsenal manager was asked about the fitness of the Italy international.

He said: “He needs some more tests. Yesterday (Thursday) he had some, today he’s going to have some more.

“Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later.”

Arteta is already facing a defensive crisis, as he is without three key defenders.

William Saliba is suspended after receiving a red card in last Saturday’s damaging 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are sidelined due to injuries.

The Gunners would greatly benefit from Jurrien Timber’s return.

The Netherlands international has been out for nearly a month and, although he resumed training this week, it seems that the upcoming match against the Reds will come too soon for him.

“It was the first session that he could have some involvement,” Arteta said.

“He’s been out a while. We thought he would be further ahead.”

Arguably, the player Arsenal needs back the most is winger Bukayo Saka, who has missed their last two matches due to a hamstring injury sustained while playing for England

Arteta said: “He’s done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday is another question.

“We will see.”

“We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available. It’s very, very uncertain.”

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