Arsenal Injury News: Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit has left Mikel Arteta with fresh problems, with Sunday’s trip to Liverpool now looming large. Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with League Two side Fleetwood Town ended in a penalty shootout defeat, making the timing of Arsenal’s latest fitness concerns particularly awkward.
After the match, Arteta confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice all missed the tie due to injury. Rice came off during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton after clutching his hamstring, while Calafiori finished that game cautiously and went straight down the tunnel at full-time. Madueke’s ankle issue is the newest concern. The Standard reported the three players’ fitness problems following Arteta’s comments.
Those fresh doubts add to an already difficult injury situation. Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with a quad injury that could keep him out until around Christmas, while William Saliba continues his recovery from a back injury. Max Dowman’s late red card against Fleetwood brings a separate problem, as the teenager faces a three-match suspension. Arteta must now assess his remaining options on the right flank.
Arsenal Injury News: How can Arteta cover the right flank at Anfield?
Madueke’s directness and one-on-one dribbling make him the most natural alternative to Saka, so his availability could determine Arsenal’s approach. Christos Tzolis offers another wide option, but he has been recovering from a hamstring injury, and Arteta has not confirmed that he will return for Liverpool. Tzolis usually operates from the left, so switching him across would require a tactical adjustment.
Kai Havertz could cover on the right, although his display against Fleetwood did little to settle concerns about his sharpness after a hamstring problem. Arteta could instead use a fluid front three, with a forward drifting wide and Ødegaard moving into the right half-space to create passing angles.
Arsenal should avoid forcing an unfamiliar player into Saka’s exact role. At Anfield, the priority is to keep their shape, protect the right side and make Liverpool defend through quick combinations rather than isolated dribbles.
The problem extends beyond the wing. If Rice also misses out, Arsenal lose a key ball-winner and runner from midfield, making it harder to protect the defence while maintaining their press. Arteta must balance those midfield concerns with his limited attacking options, because an unfamiliar right-wing solution could leave Arsenal short in two areas at once.
