Arsenal injury updates ahead of Liverpool clash

Two Premier League title hopefuls meet on Sunday but it's Arsenal who have the more significant injury worries ahead of their clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners slipped to their first league defeat of the season at Bournemouth last week and were a little clunky in their Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, where an own goal proved just about enough to secure all three points.

However, the result came at a cost for Mikel Arteta, who has added another player to his list of injury worries heading into the weekend.

With some question marks lingering over key players, here are the latest Arsenal injury updates.

Martin Odegaard

• Injury: Ankle
• Potential return date: November

Arsenal have undoubtedly lost a lot of swagger during chief creative force Martin Odegaard's time on the sidelines.

The Norwegian dynamo hasn't played since damaging ligaments in his ankle while playing for his country and there were even fears he had suffered a setback a few weeks ago. However, Arteta has since hinted Odegaard is close to returning and his national team manager has said similar, indicating the former Real Madrid youngster is in contention to play during the November international break.

No single player has managed to effectively replace Odegaard, though that hasn't stopped Arsenal from winning the majority of their matches since he was injured.

Jurrien Timber

• Injury: Muscle
• Potential return date: Liverpool (H) - 27/10/24

Jurrien Timber missed almost all of his debut season with Arsenal due to an anterior cruciate ligament blow and has been unavailable since the 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, when he picked up a muscle problem.

The Dutch defender has formed part of a fierce Gunners rearguard and, with William Saliba out suspended, manager Arteta could really do with the 23-year-old being available. However, he didn't sound too confidence when asked about Timber's potential involvement before the weekend.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: "We're going to do our very best to somehow have them [Timber, Saka and Calafiori] available. It's very, very uncertain.

"It was the first session that he could have some involvement. He's been out a while. We thought he would be further ahead."

Bukayo Saka

• Injury: Hamstring
• Potential return date: Liverpool (H) - 27/10/24

Arsenal starboy Bukayo Saka hasn't played for his club since the October international break, having been substituted before the hour-mark in England's 2-1 defeat to Greece. He's been hugely missed, with the Gunners failing to get on the scoresheet at Bournemouth before needing an own goal to beat Shakhtar.

Arteta said: "He's done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday is another question. We will see."

Saka opened the scoring in this fixture last season as the north Londoners secured a rousing 3-1 success and his absence for such a huge game would be a bitter pill for Arteta to swallow.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

• Injury: Knee
• Potential return date: November

A knee injury during pre-season meant Takehiro Tomiyasu had to work his way back to full fitness over the summer.

He was a late substitute during the 3-1 win over Southampton but has since suffered a setback, further limiting the defensive options at Arteta's disposal.

Kieran Tierney

• Injury: Hamstring
• Potential return date: November

Scotland international Kieran Tierney spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, playing 26 games in all competitions, and then represented his country during their short-lived Euro 2024 journey, with his own participation coming to an end in their second game.

Arteta said the former Celtic defender would be out for a few weeks back in August, but he's yet to be seen in a matchday squad with his future in north London already looking bleak.

Riccardo Calafiori

• Injury: Knee
• Potential return date: Liverpool (H) - 27/10/24

Given the injury casualties Arsenal already have, Riccardo Calafiori's injury against Shakhtar Donetsk came as a real sickener. He is thought to have avoided a serious issue after falling awkwardly but is a major doubt for the weekend.

The Italy international is a wholehearted and technically skilled defender who scored a great goal in a previous title duel with Manchester City in September.

Arteta revealed: "He needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he's going to have some more. Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later."

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP