Arsenal handed huge triple injury boost ahead of trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Anfield
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Big fixtures between leading sides often arrive with late selection questions still hanging over the squad. The difference between a full complement of options and a patched-together attack can shape how a team approaches a difficult away assignment. Those following the final preparations closely tend to watch for any last-minute indications of who is fit enough to feature.
Walking the streets around the ground the morning of a match has become a familiar ritual for many clubs. Images from those sessions can offer the first public clue about which players have travelled and which ones remain on the fringes of availability. With limited natural options in certain positions, every positive sign is scrutinised carefully by supporters and staff alike.
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Noni Madueke was pictured with the Arsenal squad on the traditional pre-match walk before facing Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, according to The Standard. The right winger remains a doubt to feature at Anfield due to an ankle injury, which has prevented him from fully training ahead of the fixture.
Asked on Friday for an update on Madueke’s fitness, Mikel Arteta told reporters: “We’ll have a training session [on Saturday]. [We’ll] see if he can complete that full session and as I said, I will know whether he’s available or not.” Madueke joined his team-mates on a walk around Liverpool city centre on Sunday morning.
There was also positive news on Christos Tzolis and Riccardo Calafiori, two others who had question marks over their fitness. Arteta said of the pair on Friday: “They all trained today and they will train tomorrow. If everything is OK, they will be available.” Tzolis and Calafiori were also pictured with the group.
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Declan Rice was not shown in the images from the walk, but is expected to be in the squad. The availability of Madueke has taken on added significance because of the options available on the right side of the attack.
Max Dowman is suspended after his red card against Fleetwood Town, leaving Arteta short of natural wide players if Madueke fails the late fitness test. The manager has already indicated he will only make a final call once Saturday’s training session is complete.
The pictures of Madueke, Tzolis and Calafiori travelling with the squad provide some encouragement ahead of kick-off. However, presence on the walk does not guarantee a place in the starting XI or even on the bench. Arteta has been cautious in his public comments throughout the week about the ankle issue affecting the winger.
Arsenal’s attacking depth has been tested repeatedly this season by injuries and suspensions. Any late positive news on Madueke would give the manager an extra choice as he finalises his selection for one of the toughest away games of the campaign.
Supporters will watch the team sheet closely when it is released later today. The final decisions on who is fit enough to start could influence how Arsenal approach the contest at Anfield.
Arsenal - Mikel Arteta
Arsenal - Mikel Arteta
Arsenal - Noni Madueke
Arsenal - Noni Madueke