Arsenal’s hopes of winning an historic quadruple were dashed earlier this week, when Mikel Arteta’s men were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Fleetwood Town. The Gunners dominated their opponents in a 1-1 draw but were unable to find a winner in normal time, before the League Two strugglers claimed victory with a 5-3 penalty shootout win.
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The north London side, who rotated heavily for the fixture, will have to dust themselves down after the embarrassing defeat and fully focus on the Premier League, as they prepare to travel to Anfield for a blockbuster clash against Liverpool. The Reds will be in high spirits, after knocking Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties the night after Arsenal’s loss.
Heading into the game, Arsenal have a number of injury concerns. Bukayo Saka looks set to be out until late December with a thigh injury, while Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, Christos Tzolis and Noni Madueke are also doubts for the fixture. On top of that, defender William Saliba remain sidelined with longer standing problems.
Ahead of the Gunners’ trip to take on Andoni Iraola’s Reds on Merseyside, here is the most likely starting XI Arteta will pick as he looks to propel his side above Manchester City in the race to become 2026/27 Premier League champions.
Will Calafiori start against Liverpool?
Arsenal defender Ricardo Calafiori is a doubt to face Liverpool this weekend due to injuryplaceholder image
Arsenal defender Ricardo Calafiori is a doubt to face Liverpool this weekend due to injury | Getty Images
As is customary for most elite Premier League sides, Arsenal’s number one - David Raya - was given the night off in the cup earlier this week with Illan Meslier drafted in as his replacement. Raya will be back in goal against Liverpool, as he looks to rack up his ninth clean sheet of the season across all competitions.
Jurrien Timber, who was handed the armband for the Gunners’ loss to Fleetwood, looks like he could start over Ben White against Liverpool, after being withdrawn at half-time to manage his minutes. The Netherlands international missed the start of the season with a groin issue that also ruled him out of the World Cup, and Arteta will be keen to avoid a relapse from a player who has endured a number of injury problems since joining in 2023.
In the middle, star man Gabriel will return to the back line after being rested on Tuesday night. The Brazil international has become one of the most coveted defenders in world football in recent seasons, and looks set to be paired with England international Ezri Konsa, who joined in a £55m move from Premier League rivals Aston Villa last summer.
It looks like Calafiori will not play against Liverpool, as he continues his recovery from an unspecified abdominal injury. Arteta has stressed that the problem is not serious, but it’s notable that the Italy international didn’t even make the squad to face Fleetwood. After Piero Hincapie played the full ninety minutes in midweek, Myles Lewis-Skelly looks set to return at left-back.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Liverpool: midfield and attack
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze has a chance to impress amid a number of injury concerns in the squadplaceholder image
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze has a chance to impress amid a number of injury concerns in the squad | Getty Images
Arsenal will be desperate to have star midfielder Declan Rice back to play against Liverpool. He came off the field after suffering with hamstring tightness in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Everton, and missed the subsequent 482-mile round-trip to face Fleetwood. Given the importance of the fixture against the Reds, he should still start the game.
Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes will aim to continue his flourishing relationship with Rice in the heart of midfield, as he looks to bounce back from his crucial penalty miss in midweek. The ex-Newcastle United star arrived for a £75m fee in the last transfer window, following an underwhelming 2026 World Cup last-16 exit to Norway.
On the right wing, Madueke will be hopeful of overcoming an ankle injury to start against the Reds. Arsenal have little in the way of backup for the ex-Chelsea player, who has had to settle for a bit-part role since joining the club last year. In the middle, Martin Odegaard will be looking to weave some more magic in the number ten position.
Tzolis will be hopeful of making the squad to play Liverpool, but is unlikely to be rushed straight back into the first team. This should provide Eberechi Eze with another opportunity to impress off the left wing. Up top, Kai Havertz looks set to return to his usual central striker role, after playing in a wider position against Fleetwood.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Liverpool: Raya; Timber, Gabriel, Konsa, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Guimaraes; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz.