Arsenal face being without several players against Liverpool as the availability of multiple squad members is in doubt ahead of Sunday afternoon's match at Anfield
Mikel Arteta during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre
Mikel Arteta has several doubts heading into this weekend's match
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Mikel Arteta stopped short of confirming whether any of Christos Tzolis, Declan Rice, Noni Madueke or Riccardo Calafiori would be available to play for Arsenal against Liverpool during his press conference.
Calafiori, Madueke and Rice missed the midweek Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood Town, as did Tzolis, who has not played in any of the six matches since this season's first international break. However, all but Madueke trained on Friday, with all four due to be on the grass on Saturday.
Arteta said "if everything is OK" after this weekend's session, then the former three "will be available" for Sunday.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta doubles down on Max Dowman red card anger with fresh disappointment
Asked about Madueke, the manager acknowledged they do not yet know whether he will be able to start at Anfield. However, he did not rule him out.
Arteta said: "We have a training session tomorrow. See if he can complete that full session tomorrow, and after that we'll know whether he's available or not."
Bukayo Saka, though, is definitely out and now needs another scan on his thigh. Arteta acknowledged that it is likely the England international will not be available before the November international break, when England host Croatia and then travel to Spain for a Nations League match.
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Bukayo Saka 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.
Arsenal still do not have an injury timeline for Bukayo Saka(Image: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
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The additional scan is "to see how the amount of fluid that was there was resolving. Arteta added they want to see: "whether the tendon is touched and how badly it is touched."
He acknowledged: "Afterwards, we know more". Asked again, Arteta said: "We'll have to wait and see next week".
As for William Saliba, the manager said a fortnight ago: "I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is at the moment. But every sign so far has been very, very positive, and yeah, it will be great to have him.'
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The only other Arsenal absentee is suspended rather than injured. Arsenal were unsuccessful in appealing against the three-match ban that Max Dowman will now serve for being sent off against Fleetwood.
As for the Gunners' opponents, Andoni Iraola has acknowledged that Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz could return from injury. There is also some doubt about Jeremy Jacquet after not appearing to train on Friday.
Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike remain long-term absentees. Jeremie Frimpong joined them on the sidelines earlier this month and is unlikely to play again before the November international break with a hamstring injury.
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