Arsenal and Liverpool both battle injury problems | OneFootball

Liverpool’s injury list continues to pose a significant challenge as they prepare to visit Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.

Both teams are facing a host of availability concerns, but Liverpool manager Arne Slot‘s side is particularly stretched, with several key players in doubt for the top-of-the-table clash.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: William Saliba of Arsenal runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Diogo Jota of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on February 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

One of Liverpool’s main worries is Diogo Jota, who remains a major doubt after sustaining a blow to the stomach in last weekend’s victory over Chelsea.

Jota, forced off after just 30 minutes, faces a race against time to be ready for Sunday.

Slot, discussing Jota’s condition, noted that the injury, likely to the ribs, was due to another player falling awkwardly on him. “Diogo got a knock, brought down, but the other player fell onto him; he couldn’t carry on, and it is difficult to judge at this moment,” Slot said, adding that Jota’s availability will depend on how the injury responds over the next few days.

The Reds are also without Alisson Becker, who is sidelined with a hamstring problem. Alisson’s absence places a significant strain on Liverpool’s defensive setup, with Caoimhin Kelleher stepping in.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Alisson Becker of Liverpool receives treatment before going off injured during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park on October 05, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Further complicating matters, Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott, and Federico Chiesa all missed Liverpool’s recent trip to Germany for their midweek fixture against RB Leipzig. Slot confirmed the trio’s absence during a press conference, noting that their conditions remain uncertain for the upcoming clash with Arsenal.

In Liverpool’s Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, Mohamed Salah was substituted early, a move Slot attributed to wanting to preserve his star attacker for the crucial Arsenal encounter. Liverpool did manage to avoid any fresh injuries in Germany, but the existing list of absentees leaves Slot with fewer options as he plans for Sunday’s game.

For Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta faces his own set of challenges, with several key players potentially missing out. William Saliba is ruled out due to suspension, while both Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka are racing to recover from injuries. The former has no chance while the latter could be involved.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal leaves the pitch after receiving a red card, as Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Riccardo Calafiori, who had to be replaced in the second half against Shakhtar Donetsk due to a knee problem, is also unlikely to feature, further depleting Arsenal’s defensive options.

Jurrien Timber is also a doubt while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain out, leaving Arteta with tough decisions as he looks to fill gaps in his backline.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 22: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal goes down with a injury as Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal checks on him during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The stakes are high for both teams, with Liverpool currently topping the Premier League on 21 points, four points ahead of third-placed Arsenal.

Liverpool’s attacking ability remains potent, with 15 goals scored, matching Arsenal’s tally. However, the defensive stability has been a notable contrast—Liverpool have conceded just three goals compared to Arsenal’s eight.

Arsenal have managed to secure wins in their last two Premier League home matches against Liverpool, a feat they haven’t managed since a run between 2004 and 2006 when they won four consecutive home games against the Reds.

On the other hand, Liverpool have found the back of the net in each of their last 17 Premier League encounters with Arsenal, dating back to a goalless draw in August 2015.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli (R) celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

The Gunners are unbeaten in their last four league clashes against Liverpool (two wins and two draws), a stark improvement over their previous 14 meetings, where they only managed one win alongside four draws and nine losses.

Following the 0-2 defeat to Bournemouth, Arsenal face the possibility of consecutive league defeats for the first time since the end of December 2023, when they lost to both West Ham and Fulham.

Before that Bournemouth game, the Gunners had an impressive start to 2024, losing just one of their first 25 league fixtures (21 wins, 3 draws).

With both squads potentially missing up to 12 players combined, the match on Sunday promises to be as much a test of squad depth as it is of tactical acumen.

Liverpool’s reliance on Kelleher and the potential absence of key attackers like Jota could tilt the balance in Arsenal’s favour, provided the Gunners can overcome their own injury setbacks.

As both teams look to keep up the pressure in a competitive title race, the absences will add an extra layer of intrigue to this already significant Premier League showdown.