Mikel Arteta Reveals Major Injury Boosts Ahead of Liverpool Trip

Mikel Arteta has handed Arsenal a significant boost ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, confirming that Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis are all in line to return.

The trio were among a lengthy list of absentees for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town, but Arteta revealed at his pre-match press conference that all three have returned to training.

‘They all trained today, and they will train tomorrow, and if everything is okay, they will be available,’ he said.

Rice was forced off with a problem in the final ten minutes of last weekend’s 2-0 win over Everton, prompting concern given his importance to the side. Calafiori, meanwhile, had been considered a major doubt after picking up a knock against Everton, with reports suggesting there was genuine concern he could miss the trip to Anfield.

Tzolis’ availability is also a timely lift. The summer signing has been sidelined with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty, and his return gives Arteta a much-needed option in wide areas.

However, there is still uncertainty surrounding Noni Madueke, who missed the Fleetwood defeat with an ankle problem. Arteta confirmed the winger will face a late fitness test, but stopped short of ruling him out.

‘We don’t know yet. We have a training session tomorrow, we will see if he can complete that full session,’ he said. ‘After that, we will know if he is available or not.’

Madueke’s fitness is particularly important given Arsenal’s situation on the right flank. Max Dowman is suspended for the trip to Anfield after the club’s appeal against his red card at Fleetwood was rejected, while Bukayo Saka remains sidelined.

Arteta also offered an update on Saka, who was forced off early in the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich. Asked whether the England international would return before the November international break, the Arsenal boss replied, ‘Probably.’

‘He needed another scan to see how the amount of fluid he had there was resolving, how the tendon is touched, and how badly it is touched,’ Arteta explained. ‘Afterwards, we will know more about it.’

When asked whether the winger could be ruled out of international duty as result of his recovery, Arteta said, ‘I don’t know, it looks like it, but we will have to wait and see next week.

‘We want to have him as quick as possible. The player is desperate, he is feeling much better than he was a few days ago, and we need to see how he evolves.’

Arsenal head to Anfield level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, looking to respond to Tuesday’s shock cup exit.