Liverpool news as Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka suffer injuries before a trip to Anfield next weekend
Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres during an Arsenal game
Bukayo Saka has handed Arsenal an injury scare ahead of the game against Liverpool
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Arsenal are reeling from a double injury worry ahead of the game against Liverpool next weekend.
The Gunners have been dealt a significant scare as they appear to have lost captain Martin Odegaard and winger Bukayo Saka to injury eight days before the big fixture.
Last season Arne Slot's Reds cruised to the Premier League title with Arsenal following closest behind as runners-up. Due to this fact, the early-season meeting between the pair at Anfield is being tipped as one that could have a long-term impact on the new title race.
But today Liverpool's rivals have been handed a new problem as they face making the trip to Anfield without their captain and one of their most influential attackers.
First, Odegaard was removed from the action with 38 minutes played of Arsenal's second match of the season against newly-promoted Leeds United on Saturday evening.
The Norwegian midfielder had gone down earlier in the first half under challenge from a Leeds player and looked to be in discomfort with his shoulder, though he indicated to Arteta he would be okay to continue.
Eventually, the problem became too much and he was replaced by 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
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After the injury, Saka had doubled his side's lead with his first goal of the new season. That joy was curtailed when he was substituted with what appears to be a left hamstring issue in the 53rd minute.
Saka was making a run toward the Leeds penalty area under pressure and decided to pass to a teammate. He instantly pulled up, went to ground with discomfort and had to be replaced by Leandro Trossard.
Last season the Gunners' captain scored six and created 12 goals in all competitions whilst Saka registered 12 goals and 14 assists of his own. Arteta is staring at a nightmare scenario being without the duo for Liverpool.
Adding to the problem is the fact Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury on the opening weekend of the season, meanwhile Gabriel Jesus came into the campaign still in recovery from surgery.
To soften the blow, Arsenal did announce the £67.5 million signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace before kick-off against Leeds. Arteta will have to make the call if he plays 90 minutes against on debut against the Reds or not.
Meanwhile Slot himself has a crisis of sorts brewing after Jeremie Frimpong was ruled out until after the September international break with a hamstring injury. He therefore misses matches against Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Fellow right-back Conor Bradley has only just returned to training meanwhile Joe Gomez is battling his way to full fitness.