Arsenal have Bukayo Saka fit to start their Premier League showdown with Liverpool in a huge boost.
Saka has been out since suffering a hamstring injury on England duty and Mikel Arteta had said it was “very uncertain” whether he and Jurrien Timber will be fit.
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“He’s done a bit of training on the grass,” said Arteta about Saka on Friday. “How far we can get him before Sunday is another question. We have another day, which is a good thing. We will see.”
However, both Saka and Timber start for the Gunners, in what is a strong starting lineup than had been feared.
Riccardo Calafiori does miss the Liverpool clash with the knee injury he suffered in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, but Timber comes in at left-back in his absence.
“He needs some more tests,” said Arteta on Friday. “Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more. After that, we will know. Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later. So let’s see.”
Arsenal are without the suspended William Saliba. Ben White therefore shifts into the heart of defence alongside Gabriel, with Thomas Partey dropping into right-back.
Mikel Merino partners Declan Rice in midfield, with Leandro Trossard alongside Kai Havertz up front.
Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Martin Odegaard (ankle) and Takehiro Tomiyasu all miss out again.
Arsenal XI (4-2-2-2): Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino; Saka; Martinelli; Havertz, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Nichols, Myles-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus
Time and date: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday October 27, 2024
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Anthony Taylor
