Arsenal line-up against Liverpool with FIVE stars, including Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, missing
Mikel Arteta will need to call up several squad players to face Liverpool as Arsenal risk being without five key stars.
The Gunners headed to a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, when visiting goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk put the ball into his own goal in the first half.
But the victory was marred by forced substitutions of Ricardo Calafiori and Ben White.
The Italian defender was forced off in the second half after his knee buckled inwards when he slipped on the grass, and it remains to be seen whether he will be sidelined for the visit of the Reds.
Ben White also came off, however Arteta confirmed after the match that his substitution was purely tactical as the defender was on a yellow card.
arsenal end Bukayo Saka seems discarded with a hamstring injury He picked up his England international duty, while William Saliba serves his suspension for his red card at Bournemouth last weekend.
Jurrien Timber is also an injury doubt, having been absent from the last two matchday squads, while Martin Odegaard remains unavailable due to a serious knee injury.
There is no rest for the wicked, however, and Arsenal will want to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth last time out in the Premier League, even with their growing list of absentees.
And Arteta made it clear after the midweek Champions League win, with the Spaniard saying ESPN: “Believe me, Sunday vs. Liverpool we will be flying. Trust me on that.”
The Gunners welcome league leaders Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and Arteta and company will now plan how to line up with several regular starters.
Arsenal's squad depth has improved in recent seasons and fortunately there are several substitutes they can rely on.
But which of those students will be trusted to topple the high-flying Reds? talkSPORT.com has taken a look…
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Defense
David Raya has started all but one game this season, so it is likely that he will continue between the sticks. With guaranteed starter Saliba unavailable and Calafiori potentially suffering an injury, Arteta will turn to other defenders to keep up. Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz at bay.
Jakub Kiwior has had limited opportunities this season, apart from substitute appearances and in the Carabao Cup, but will likely be alongside Gabriel in central defence.
The start for 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly may come too soon even though he replaced Calafiori on Tuesday. Oleksandr Zinchenko is therefore likely to be called up at left back if he is ready after recovering from his calf injury. Ben White remains on the right.
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Midfield
There will be three familiar faces in midfield, including Declan Rice and Thomas Partey stay in the lineup.
With captain Odegaard out, he will probably be a seasoned pro Jorginho He will enter and take the bracelet.
That gives Rice the license to push into the final third and create, while Partey can help protect the backline and press from a central position.
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Stroke
With Saka absent, Arsenal can turn to Leandro Trossard to instill some fear in Liverpool's defence, and the Belgian is probably keen to prove he can start.
Gabriel Martinelli He will change wings to cover the normal absence of his winger partner, as he demonstrated his ability to play on the right side at the end of last season.
that leaves Kai Havertz to lead the line. The German has scored six goals and provided one assist this season, four of those goals playing up front in the league.
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