Huge blow for Arsenal ahead of Liverpool clash

Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to London to face Arsenal on Sunday, in the biggest game of this season’s title race so far. 

Arne Slot’s side currently hold a four point lead over the Gunners, following Mikel Arteta’s side’s shock 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Liverpool were temporarily leapfrogged by reigning champions Manchester City, but returned to the summit with a 2-1 win against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool are set to be without goalkeeper Alisson for the match at The Emirates, but it has now emerged that Arsenal will also be missing a key player.

As per Football Insider, the Gunners are set to be without winger Bukayo Saka for the visit of Liverpool.

The 23-year-old was injured whilst on international duty with England earlier this month, and therefore missed Arsenal’s defeat against the Cherries and their 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Following their win over the Ukrainian side, Arteta told Prime Video that Saka hasn’t trained since picking up his injury and is therefore not likely to play on Sunday.

“He wasn’t able to do the session in the way that we wan wanted. He wasn’t still feeling good so that wasn’t good news,” Arteta said.

“I don’t know (if he will be able to play against Liverpool). He hasn’t been able to train yet so that’s unlikely,” he added.

It had initially been hoped that he could return for Sunday’s match, but the report claims that he will not be available.

Saka has been in fine form at the start of the new season, scoring twice and providing seven assists in seven Premier League matches.

In total, the Englishman has scored 61 goals and registered 60 assists in 236 games for Arsenal, having graduated through the club’s youth academy.