Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a major selection headache ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Liverpool, with at least seven first-team players either ruled out or doubtful for the top-of-the-table encounter at Anfield.
Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus will not be available due to injuries. Belgian forward Leandro Trossard has also emerged as a serious doubt, leaving the Gunners’ attacking options severely depleted.
“We haven’t got Gabriel Jesus, we haven’t got Kai Havertz and we don’t have Bukayo,” Arteta told reporters on Friday. “That is our reality – and Leandro Trossard too, probably.”
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Club captain Martin Ødegaard is also facing a late fitness test, while Ben White and Christian Norgaard remain doubtful as they continue to recover from knocks.
With such a lengthy injury list, Arteta may be forced to field a reshuffled attack that could feature summer arrivals Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyökeres, and Noni Madueke if they are cleared to start.
The injury crisis comes at a critical stage of the campaign, with Arsenal looking to maintain their momentum in the title race against Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Liverpool side.
The absence of several key players could prove decisive in what is expected to be one of the season’s most pivotal fixtures.