Arsenal have had a perfect start to their Premier League 2025/26 campaign with wins over Manchester United and Leeds United in the first two games.
Despite hammering Leeds 5-0 at home, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard had to be substituted due to injury concerns leaving a sour taste in Mikel Arteta's mouth before the epic clash against Liverpool this weekend.
Although the Gunners could miss two of their most influential players in such a great match against the reigning champions, they have decent squad depth to counter the situation.
Ahead of the match at Anfield on Sunday (August 31), Arteta opened up on Saka and Odegaard's availability for this fixture.
"Bukayo is doing better, but he will be out for a few weeks. No surgery. It’s not as bad as the previous one, very unfortunate. It was an action that required full power from him, had to change direction and he felt something," Arteta told the media ahead of the away game.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Meanwhile Odegaard has also not returned to training and his involvement in the Liverpool clash is a major doubt.
The Arsenal captain needs to return to training for further assessment of his availability but until now it seems the Gunners will face the Reds without two of their star players.
"He hasn’t trained yet and, if he does, it will be tomorrow," Arteta stated about Odegaard.
How will Arsenal lineup against Liverpool in Saka and Odegaard's absence?
Apart from Saka and Odegaard, Arsenal have several other injury concerns starting with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard and Ben White. All of them could miss the upcoming fixture.
The Gunners are expected to start with the same defense that they deployed against Leeds United with Noi Madueke expected to replace Saka on the right flank.
New signing Eberechi Eze could start on the left with teenager Ethan Nwaneri replacing Odegaard if the Norwegian fails to make the fitness cut.
Another alternative could be Arteta changing his system slightly and going with Mikel Merino in midfield instead of starting with Nwaneri right from the off.
In this case, the Spain international will play alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in a midfield three allowing the English midfielder to push forward.
This could be a big decision for Arteta in a crucial clash, but the Spanish manager will firstly hope Odegaard returns to full fitness ahead of their away trip to Anfield to ease his selection conundrum.
Arsenal news and related links
- When is Kai Havertz back? Arsenal forward's knee injury, Gunners transfer options explained
- Liverpool vs. Arsenal lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest as Saka, Frimpong miss out
- Arsenal step up defender pursuit as Jakub Kiwior awaits Porto green light