How Arsenal could line up vs Liverpool without Riccardo Calafiori and William Saliba

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a huge selection headache ahead of Sunday's crucial clash against Liverpool.

The Gunners sit four points behind Arne Slot's side, who currently top the Premier League table after eight games. Arsenal are also three points behind reigning champions Manchester City who lie in second.

And they will head into this weekend's fixture without captain Martin Odegaard who has been out injured since September. There are also serious doubts over the fitness of key forward Bukayo Saka.

Saka has missed Arsenal's previous two fixtures after picking up an injury during the October international break. Arteta confirmed after Tuesday's win over Shakhtar Donetsk that the 23-year-old is yet to return to first-team training.

But the potential greater concern comes in defence, with Riccardo Calafiori coming off injured against Shakhtar. Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are all currently unavailable due to injury, while William Saliba is suspended after being sent off during Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is a potential option at left-back in place of Calafiori. Zinchenko has just returned from injury and was left on the bench against Shakhtar but his experience maybe key in such a big game.

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Jakub Kiwior, meanwhile, should be given an opportunity to come into Arteta's side at centre-back alongside Gabriel. It would be no surprise though if Arteta picked one of his holding midfielders such as Thomas Partey or Jorginho in that position instead.

Who starts in midfield is also likely to be a talking point with Odegaard still out. If Saka is fit, Arteta may look to play Kai Havertz in the number 10 position.

Potential Arsenal lineup vs Liverpool without Calafiori and Saliba: Raya; White, Kiwior, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.

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It is going to be an interesting summer at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal look to make changes and give Mikel Arteta the squad to overhaul Manchester City and win the Premier League title.

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