Mikel Arteta insists that Arsenal must not dwell on their injury setbacks as they prepare for Sunday’s high-stakes clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool. A series of injuries and the suspension of key defender William Saliba have disrupted Arsenal’s buildup to the game.Saliba’s absence comes after a red card in last weekend’s surprising loss to Bournemouth, adding to Arteta’s concerns over player availability. Key figures like Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are racing to recover in time for Liverpool’s visit to the Emirates Stadium.”We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available. It’s very uncertain,” Arteta told reporters on Friday.Arsenal v Liverpool. Third hosts first. Unmissable 🍿 pic.twitter.com/mEga1ENYIe— Premier League (@premierleague) October 25, 2024 Additionally, Arsenal has been without their captain, Martin Odegaard, since the Norwegian midfielder suffered an injury on international duty back in September.Despite these challenges, Arteta remains confident that his team will step up against an in-form Liverpool.”This is the game. Obviously we didn’t want to be in this situation but we are lucky to have the squad we have. Don’t feel sorry for ourselves,” Arteta said.”In a lot of cases it’s been very bad luck. It is difficult to control. It’s about how we react. The team has to have the resources to mentally adapt to that.”We have had very difficult and challenging moments but I don’t think this is one of them.”We are a good team and know how difficult we can be for the opponent. We have that ruthless mentality I love.”Currently sitting in third place, Arsenal trail Liverpool by four points after last weekend’s setback. They managed to secure a narrow 1-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, but the performance was far from convincing.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Although Saliba was available for that match, his absence against Liverpool means Arsenal will miss his solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes. Ben White is a likely candidate to shift from right-back to the center of defense alongside Gabriel.”It’s true that partnership (with Saliba and Gabriel) has been very stable. There are other players who have played there before so we have to find a solution,” Arteta said.Liverpool, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season under new manager Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp. The Reds have won 11 of their 12 matches across all competitions, with their only defeat coming against Nottingham Forest.Ten Hag cites injuries as key factor in Man Utd’s strugglesArteta credits Slot’s success to the strong foundations already in place at Anfield.”For me they are one of the best teams in the last decade. They are in a really great moment, because of the infrastructure and the players,” he said.”Arne Slot has inherited a team that was already successful. He has given them his own touch. You can see his fingerprints. You look at that team and think they are going to be contenders.”With Liverpool riding high and Arsenal facing adversity, Sunday’s match is shaping up to be a crucial test for Arteta’s men as they aim to keep pace in the title race.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 9Friday 22.00: (3.10) Leicester (3.40) Nott.Forest (2.45)Saturday 17.00: (1.95) Aston Villa (3.50) Bournemouth (3.90)17.00: (1.75) Brentford (3.70) Ipswich (5.40)17.00: (1.65) Brighton (3.80) Wolverhampton (5.40)17.00: (1.12) Man.City (10.0) Southampton (16.0)19.30: (2.85) Everton (3.35) Fulham (2.65)Sunday 16.00: (1.80) Chelsea (3.70) Newcastle (4.40)16.00: (4.30) Crystal Palace (3.60) Tottenham (1.85)16.00: (3.05) West Ham (3.60) Man.Utd. (2.40)18.30: (2.50) Arsenal (3.45) Liverpool (2.95)***odds are subject to change***
