Arsenal have 4 primary fitness concerns ahead of Liverpool clash

Granit Xhaka, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney Worries for Arsenal

On the one hand, Xhaka isn’t a worry. The man is a footballing machine who has the energy reserves to play the farcical amount of consecutive matches he has done for the Gunners.

But, even in his two most recent Arsenal matches he showed signs of fatigue, having his worst game of this streak in the starting lineup in the 3-3 draw with West Ham. During the break he played the full 180 minutes as Switzerland recorded victories over Bulgaria and Lithuania, before getting a rest from the starting lineup for their pointless friendly with Finland.

Knowing Liverpool’s strengths and Xhaka’s energy resources he may well start again on Saturday evening.

Eddie Nketiah isn’t in Arteta’s plans so he’s exempt, but Emile Smith Rowe started both of the opening group stage matches in England’s disastrous Under-21 European Championship campaign. He sustained an injury in the aftermath of the 2-0 loss to Portugal, coming off at half-time off the back of being withdrawn in the 66th minute of the Three Lions’ first fixture.

While there was a chance Smith Rowe could have still featured on the bench for Aidy Boothroyd’s side against Croatia on Wednesday, he was left out of the squad. It’s believed he could be fit for Saturday.

Bukayo Saka has played no part in the senior England side’s three World Cup qualifiers, having been called up to the squad but being left in north London as he recovers from a hamstring issue. No length of absence has been given on the 19-year-old but it once again calls into question the medical department, who evidently rushed him back for the West Ham clash.

He’s missed three England games, thus if he’s back for the weekend the situation will be brushed under the carpet. If it was three Arsenal games? A very different story. Yet if he isn’t ready, then Pepe is fit and firing to take his place.

The biggest concern, above all, is Kieran Tierney.

Now seen blowing in the first half of Arsenal matches as he ploughs through grudge matches with his body, the left-back started in all of Scotland’s three World Cup qualifiers, including a home clash with Faroe Islands on Wednesday evening. Hardly any turnover time for a crunch clash with Liverpool.