Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka 'unlikely' to play vs Liverpool; 'worry' over Riccardo Calafiori

"Believe me on Sunday, we will be flying," Mikel Arteta confidently asserted ahead of Liverpool's visit, but the Arsenal manager was less bullish over the statuses of Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori for the upcoming Premier League clash.

Arteta oversaw a drab and dreary 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with an own goal from Dmytro Riznyk proving the difference between the two sides.

Arsenal once again struggled in the absence of Martin Odegaard and Saka, and they were forced to cling onto their advantage late on with David Raya making a fine save to seal all three points.

The Gunners failed to produce the bounce-back performance many supporters wanted after Saturday's debacle on the south coast, and many will be bearish over their chances against Liverpool if Saka once again misses out.

Mikel Arteta is not confident that Bukayo Saka will be back for Arsenal vs Liverpool

Speaking to reporters post-match, Arteta provided an early report of Saka's status for Sunday's game: “I don’t know. He wasn’t able to train yet so that’s unlikely.”

Saka is currently out of action with a hamstring injury sustained during England's 2-1 defeat to Greece during the October international break. He had started the season having recorded the most assists out of anyone in Europe's top five leagues with seven in as many games. His absence has proven critical, with Odegaard's injury only exacerbating matters.

Gabriel Jesus failed to convince down the right flank on Tuesday, although Raheem Sterling will likely be Arteta's preferred option if Saka isn't good to go against the Premier League leaders.

There are also concerns over Riccardo Calafiori, who was forced off against Shakhtar with a knee injury. The boss said the Italian's blow was a "worry" but couldn't offer too much detail.

On a brighter note, Arteta did at least confirm that Ben White's half-time withdrawal was not injury-related. White had been booked in the first-half and the Spaniard did not want to take any chances given Arsenal's recent history with red cards. White, however, must raise his game at the weekend. He looks miles off the pace having returned from a brief injury absence at the weekend.

With William Saliba suspended, the Gunners desperately need Jurrien Timber to be fit given the Dutchman's capacity to ably fill in at centre-back, but we haven't seen the Dutchman in action since he was withdrawn at half-time of the PSG victory with a muscle injury. Arteta hinted last week that Timber was closing in on a return, and perhaps he was merely resting on Tuesday with Sunday's game in mind.

One can only hope. This backline could be decimated for the visit of a buoyant Liverpool team.

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