Mikel Arteta delivers Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka Arsenal injury update in Liverpool crisis

Mikel Arteta has labelled Bukayo Saka as unlikely to play against Liverpool on Sunday after he was left out of the matchday squad for Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The Arsenal boss also described Riccardo Calafiori's injury as worrying.

The Gunners are in the middle of a fitness crisis that has continued into the second month of the season, and now Saka heading into a crucial run of games. Calafiori, who arrived over the summer with a niggle, has been out already at various stages too.

He appeared to twist his knee and needed help from the physio.

Initially, Calafiori got up and attempted to play on but was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in the final stages. Arsenal held out for a narrow victory despite dominating large parts of the game and missing a penalty through Leandro Trossard.

With the visit of Liverpool on Sunday to come for Arsenal, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, "I don't know, sorry, he wasn't able to train yet so that's unlikely," the Spaniard said of Saka, speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport.

"Riccy, I don't know, he felt something and could not continue playing so [it's a] bit of a worry."

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Ben White was taken off at the break having started the match at right-back, raising concern over his physical state. "Ben, it was my decision to take him out," explained Arteta. "He had a yellow and we had enough playing 10 men in the last period."

Arsenal are also currently working without Jurrien Timber. The Dutch international was also absent from the squad against Shakhtar having not trained prior to the match, like Saka. He didn't go away with his country during the break as Saka did but has added to a plethora of issues for Arteta to manage.

Mikel Merino replaced White on the pitch. Gabriel Jesus played almost 70 minutes but was seen hobbling during the first half. William Saliba played the full match.