Christos Tzolis of Arsenal warms up before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on August 21, ...
Christos Tzolis of Arsenal 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 Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s pre-Liverpool press conference has provided the fans with a boost, with confirmation that Christos Tzolis is among those to have returned to training.
girona fc v arsenal fc pre season friendly 2
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Mikel Arteta confirmed in his pre-Liverpool press conference that Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, and Christos Tzolis all trained on Friday, raising the possibility the trio could be involved in the match at Anfield on Sunday.
“They all trained today, they will train tomorrow and if all is okay, they will be available,” Arteta confirmed.
Tzolis’ involvement is the biggest boost, given he’s now been out for a few weeks. His return to training after six games out is very welcome.
As for Calafiori and Rice, the pair had only missed one game, but they’re obviously very important players for Arsenal, so it’s good to have them back too.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Noni Madueke of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Nottingham Forest FC and Arsenal FC at City Ground on October 18, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Noni Madueke of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Nottingham Forest FC and Arsenal FC at City Ground on October 18, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arteta didn’t confirm that Noni Madueke is fit to play, which is a concern. But he also didn’t rule the winger out, suggesting Saturday’s session will determine whether he can play the following day.
“We don’t know yet (if Madueke can play), we have a training session tomorrow, let’s see if he can complete it,” Arteta said, before adding: “No (he’s not ruled out).”
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 21: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal receives medical attention after sustaining an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Football Arena Munich on October 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 21: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal receives medical attention after sustaining an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between FC Bayern München and Arsenal FC at Football Arena Munich on October 21, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The news on Bukayo Saka wasn’t so positive, with Arteta confirming tests are still ongoing, but it looks likely he’ll be out of the next international break in November.
“He needed another scan to see the amount of fluid there was resolving, afterwards we will know more about it,” Arteta explained. “I don’t know (if he’ll miss the England camp), it looks likely but we’ll have to wait and see next week.”
William Saliba is also set to miss the Liverpool match, whilst Max Dowman is suspended. So Arsenal definitely won’t be at full strength, but it looks likely the majority of the first-choice players will be available.
Max Dowman of Arsenal reacts as he walks off the pitch after being sent off during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium on October 27, 2026 in Fleetwood, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Max Dowman of Arsenal reacts as he walks off the pitch after being sent off during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium on October 27, 2026 in Fleetwood, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
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