Things went from bad to worse for Arsenal after being dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Fleetwood, with Mikel Arteta confirming three new injury worries ahead of facing Liverpool
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, north west England, on October 27, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / 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. /
Mikel Arteta's injury problems are building up ahead of facing Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
As if being dumped out of the cup by a League Two side wasn’t bad enough, Arsenal’s injury problems look to be building up ahead of facing Liverpool this weekend.
The Gunners suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, ending their hopes of picking up the first piece of major silverware this season, and potentially leaving the door open for the likes of the Reds, who face Chelsea later.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping his players can dust themselves off as they prepare to visit Anfield on Sunday, although the Arsenal boss had more bad news to deliver to the club’s supporters after the defeat to Fleetwood.
Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice all missed the trip to Lancashire, with Arteta confirming afterwards all three had been left out of the squad due to injuries.
"Calafiori was out, Noni was out with an ankle, and Declan was feeling a problem the other day (against Everton), which is why I had to substitute him," the Arsenal manager explained.
That adds more potential issues to an already depleted squad. Bukayo Saka will also be missing after his injury against Bayern Munich last week, while William Saliba and Christos Tzolis are long-term absentees.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Declan Rice of Arsenal acknowledges the fans as he warms up before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Declan Rice could be a doubt to face Liverpool on Sunday
Max Dowman’s red card on Tuesday won’t help Arteta at all either, with the 16-year-old now suspended for the trip to Liverpool.
The Reds of course have their fair share of injuries to contend with as well, although that won’t do much to lift the spirits of Arteta at the moment, who described his side’s loss at Fleetwood as a “very sad day”.
"First of all, congratulations to Fleetwood," the Gunners boss said. "In the manner they did it, the atmosphere they created. I have nothing to fault the players for their attitude and intensity throughout the game, with 11 and with 10, but when you are playing in that superior way, you have to give nothing to the opponent.
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"When we create the volume of shots and chances we did, you have to score three, four or five. You capitalise on it. If you don't, there are no margins, and that's the reality. Then you have to wait and get through the round on penalties, and we didn't do that.
"The probability was low with the way the game was panning out, but it's football and still with low probability, there is always a chance you could be out of the cup."
Liverpool.com says: We’re absolutely taking this with a pinch of salt. It feels like Arteta regularly comes out with these injury issues, only for players to return the very next game.
It wouldn’t come as a surprise if Calafiori, Madueke and Rice all played against Liverpool on Sunday. The latter actually trained on Monday, so we’d bet very good money that he’ll end up starting at Anfield.