Arsenal team news: Predicted XI vs Liverpool as Arteta faces being without five key stars

boss could face a mammoth challenge against in-form without five of his first-choice stars. The Gunners have fallen four points behind Sunday's visitors to the Emirates Stadium and are in need of a positive result.

Captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle injury while William Saliba is suspended following his red card against Bournemouth. Bukayo Saka is a doubt with a minor hamstring tweak, having missed Arsenal's last two games.

Saliba's absence is a concern given that Arteta has lost Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori to injuries in recent weeks. Timber has not been seen since the first half of Arsenal's win over Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, while Calafiori limped off with a knee injury against Shakhtar Donetsk this week. Both are considered doubts for the crunch Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Here is how Express Sport predicts Arsenal will line up if all five players remain unavailable.

Goalkeeper: Raya

David Raya is Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper and thankfully for Arteta, the Spaniard has endured few injury concerns during his year in North London. The former Brentford star made a couple of fine saves in the 1-0 win over Shakhtar in the Champions League.

Defenders: White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Zinchenko

Saliba will serve a one-match domestic suspension while Timber and Calafiori are considered doubts. That could present chances for Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Kiwior was introduced against Bournemouth following Saliba's red card but was substituted late on. His performance was underwhelming, although he seems likely to be given another opportunity with few other options.

Zinchenko has lost the left-back role to Calafiori but will surely start against Liverpool if the summer signing is unavailable.

Midfielders: Rice, Partey, Merino

Arteta could entrust the same midfield that started against Bournemouth. For large periods at the Vitality Stadium, the trio of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were passive and flat. They struggled to support an isolated Kai Havertz, even before Saliba's red card left Arsenal a man down.

Arteta will likely know how to solve that issue. He also has the option of using Leandro Trossard as a No. 10.

Forwards: Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli

Gabriel Jesus could be handed a rare Premier League start if Saka remains unavailable. The Brazilian has begun only one top-flight match this season and was substituted on the hour mark during the 3-1 win over Southampton.

But Jesus performed well against Shakhtar and could start again. Gabriel Martinelli could win his place back after being used from the bench in the last two Premier League games.