EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phil Oldham/Shutterstock (17238649ab) Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta Fleetwood Town v Arsenal, EFL Carabao Cup, Football, Highbury Stadium, Fleetwood, UK - 27 Oct 2026
Arsenal’s Carabao Cup misery has been compounded by a spate of fresh injury problems ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Liverpool this weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side suffered a humiliating fourth round exit against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, dumped out of the competition by a side 84 places behind them in the English football pyramid on penalties.
Max Dowman was shown a straight red card late on which will rule him out for the next three games with Arteta revealing three new injury problems after the game.
Declan Rice was left out of the squad after coming off late on in the 2-0 win over Everton at the weekend with Martin Zubimendi starting in his place.
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Noni Madueke was also a starter at the weekend with Bukayo Saka already out injured but he too was left out of last night’s squad along with Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italy international came off the bench against Everton but was seen struggling late on with Arteta later confirming he was dealing with an issue.
Speaking after the Fleetwood game, Arteta confirmed all three were dealing with issues that meant they could not be involved against the League Two side.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Declan Rice of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Everton at Emirates Stadium on October 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
‘Calafiori was out, Noni was out with an ankle [issue],’ Arteta said.
‘And Declan finished with a problem [against Everton] the other day. That’s why I had to substitute him.’
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Arteta will be expected to give a further update on the trio when he speaks to the press on Friday ahead of Sunday’s showdown at Anfield.
Calafiori picked up a knock at the weekend (Picture: EPA)
Arsenal will also be without Saka for that game with the England international expected to be out for six-to-eight-weeks after limping off against Bayern Munich last week.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kurt Desplenter/Belga/Shutterstock (17235276ai) Club's Nicolo Tresoldi celebrates after scoring during a soccer match between Club Brugge and Sint-Truidense VV , Sunday 25 October 2026 in Brugge, on day 9 of the 2026-2027 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. Soccer Jpl D9 Club Brugge Vs Stvv, Brugge, Belgium - 25 Oct 2026
Christs Tzolis is also still recovering from a hamstring injury, leaving Arteta very short in wide areas.
William Saliba is also still working his way back after a long-term back problem.