Arsenal Receive Major Boosts Ahead Of Liverpool Clash
Mikel Arteta welcomes back Declan Rice and key reinforcements for the Anfield trip as the Gunners seek redemption following a historic, embarrassing cup defeat against Fleetwood Town.
Arsenal have been handed a major boost ahead of their trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool in matchday nine of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Arsenal come into the game off one of the biggest shocks and embarrassing losses in English football history after losing to Fleetwood Town, who sit 18th in League Two, 5-3 on penalties. For Liverpool, they defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to progress to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
Despite the defeat, the club have been handed some major injury boosts ahead of the trip to Merseyside, as they seek redemption from quite the embarrassment in mid-week.
Declan Rice is expected to be fit for the game on Sunday afternoon. The 27 year-old came off in the 2-0 victory over Everton with an issue to what looked to be his hamstring. The England international subsequently missed The Gunners’ shock defeat in midweek, but is now expected to be available to Mikel Arteta for the huge clash against Iraola’s side.
Noni Madueke is another name that is expected to be fit for Sunday. The right winger missed the Carabao Cup tie with an ankle injury that he picked up in the aftermath of the victory against Everton. With Saka injured and Max Dowman’s suspension confirmed after an appeal was rejected by the FA, Arteta will be pleased with the update on Madueke’s fitness, with the 24 year-old set to be the boss’ only right wing option on Sunday.
Noni Madueke takes on Everton player Tyrique George in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over David Moyes' side (IMAGO / Every Second Media)
Noni Madueke takes on Everton player Tyrique George in Arsenal's 2-0 victory over David Moyes' side (IMAGO / Every Second Media)
Another huge boost for Arteta coming into Sunday is the potential return of Christos Tzolis. The Greek international has not played a single minute for Arsenal since the 3-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion after injuring his hamstring against Netherlands over the international break. Tzolis enjoyed a lively start to his Arsenal career, having provided two assists in Arsenal’s 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the assist for Martin Ødegaard's winner against Chelsea. He is yet to net his first goal for Arteta’s side, however.
Mikel Merino is also expected to be fit following an illness he was suffering from.
Unfortunately for Arteta he will be without the aforementioned Bukayo Saka and Max Dowman due to their respective injury and suspension issues. Sunday is also set to come too soon for William Saliba who remains sidelined with his back issue. One of the biggest issues for Arteta however, is that Riccardo Calafiori is a major doubt through an ‘unspecified injury.’
Arsenal take on Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday 1st November. The fixture for viewers in the United Kingdom will kick off at 4:30pm GMT and will be live on Sky Sports.