BUKAYO SAKA is one of three Arsenal stars who missed training on Friday ahead of their clash with Liverpool.
The Gunners welcome the Premier League leaders to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Bukayo Saka was one of three Arsenal stars to miss training on Friday[/caption]
The Gunners trained at London Colney on Friday ahead of their clash with Liverpool[/caption]
A win for the hosts would see them close the gap to their opponents to just a single point.
However, they would slip seven points adrift with a second league defeat in a row.
To add to Mikel Arteta’s woes ahead of the match, he looks set to be without three key men this weekend.
Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber were all absent from Friday’s session at London Colney.
The trio are all being assessed before Sunday but are currently doubts for the match.
Calafiori was forced off against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night after injuring his knee.
Meanwhile, Timber has missed the last three matches after being taken off at half-time against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1.
As for Saka, he has not trained since picking up a thigh injury on international duty.
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The winger limped off during England’s defeat to Greece before returning to Arsenal to be assessed.
Arteta now looks set to be without seven first-team players on Sunday if Saka, Calafiori and Timber all miss out.
Riccardo Calafiori was forced off with a knee injury against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday[/caption]
Jurrien Timber has missed Arsenal’s last three matches through injury[/caption]
Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury alongside long-term absentees Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.
William Saliba will also miss out through suspension as he serves a one-game ban.
The defender was sent off in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor Gunners
ARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.
Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…
DAVID RAYA – 7
Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stages
Pushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.
BEN WHITE – 6
Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team.
Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.
One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5
Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.
Marked improvement in the second half.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.
Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.
Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.
Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.
Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.
Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.
Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.
Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.
Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.
Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.
SUBS
Mikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6
Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.
Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6
Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6
Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.
Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A
