Mikel Arteta shares Bukayo Saka vs Liverpool update as Arsenal stars sent two-word demand

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka is a major doubt for Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash against Liverpool. The Gunners could also be without Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber after the trio were absent from first-team training on Friday morning.

Liverpool visit the Emirates Stadium having won 11 of Arne Slot’s first 12 matches in charge and leading the Premier League title race.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are fresh off two underwhelming performances, including last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth.

They edged a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in midweek to return to the win column but will have to improve to halt Liverpool’s momentum under Slot.

However, the hosts are set to go without some major names in the heavyweight clash. Saka, Calafiori, and Timber’s absence from training sparked concern amongst supporters on Friday.

And while refusing to definitively rule them out of contention, Arteta has confirmed that all three are doubtful to feature against Liverpool.

“We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available, [but] it’s very, very uncertain,” the Spaniard explained in his press conference.

On Saka, Arteta added: “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 has missed Arsenal’s last two outings after suffering a muscle injury during England’s defeat to Greece earlier this month.

The 23-year-old winger has scored three goals and registered seven assists in 10 games this season, and his short absence has been sorely felt.

Arteta also remained coy on Calafiori’s status, explaining the full-back will undergo a further assessment before Sunday.

“He needs some more tests. Yesterday, he had some; today, he’s going to have some more,” the Arsenal boss said.

“Last time, we thought it was really bad, and then he ended up playing two days later.”

Timber is the least likely of the trio to take part against the Reds after Arteta admitted that he was expected to be further ahead in his recovery at this stage.

He continued: “It was the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out a while. We thought he would be further ahead.”

Despite Arsenal’s injury woes, Arteta has insisted that his players can’t feel sorry for themselves amid a three-way title battle with Liverpool and Manchester City. He has told his squad to “face it.”