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Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Arsenal’s night at Fleetwood Town went from bad to worse.
Not only were they knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by the League Two side, but they also learned they could be without several key players for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.
Bukayo Saka is already out for at least six weeks, Christos Tzolis is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, and William Saliba hasn’t played since the World Cup. Max Dowman could also be suspended after his late red card. Now Mikel Arteta has added three more names to the list.
Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice ruled out at Fleetwood
Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed that Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice all missed the game through injury. According to Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz, Arteta said Calafiori was “out”, Madueke has an ankle problem, and Rice “picked up something the other day”. Ryan Taylor added that the problems were sustained in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton.
Arteta didn’t say how serious any of the injuries are, so Arsenal fans will be anxiously waiting for an update before Anfield.
Who could Arsenal turn to against Liverpool?
Madueke’s injury is the biggest worry. With Saka out, he had moved over to the right, and it looked like he was about to step up and play a big role in this team.
If he misses Liverpool, Arteta’s options on the flanks become extremely thin. Eberechi Eze is fit, but there’s little else left. Dowman would have been the obvious candidate, but a ban for his red card would rule him out of Sunday’s trip to Anfield. That may help explain Arteta’s frustration with the 16-year-old as he walked off.
Instead, the Arsenal boss may have to turn to 18-year-old Ceadach O’Neill, who set up Viktor Gyokeres’ goal on his debut tonight.
Losing Rice would also be a huge blow. He has been in brilliant form this season and scored Arsenal’s late equaliser in Munich last week. Bruno Guimaraes, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly are the alternatives in midfield, although Zubimendi is currently playing in a mask after breaking his nose.
At left-back, Piero Hincapie made his return from injury tonight and would be the natural replacement for Calafiori, with Lewis-Skelly also an option.
Arsenal’s defence was also given a scare on Saturday when Gabriel went down holding his hamstring against Everton, though he recovered to score. He was given a full rest against Fleetwood. Arteta will now be hoping he doesn’t have any more bad news to deal with before Sunday.