Arsenal is likely to be without academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe for Saturday’s match against Liverpool.
The North Londoners welcome the Reds to the Emirates Stadium, where they will look to make it four wins in a row.
This is how Arsenal could resume against Liverpool on Saturday at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta’s side defeated Liverpool on their own turf at the end of last season before winning the Community Shield and Carabao Cup this season.
However, the Spaniard will not be able to concentrate on Saka and Smith Rowe, with the former skipping England’s three international matches over the break due to injury.
“He hasn’t played with the squad yet,” Arteta said of the 19-year-old. He’s been doing some job of his own.
“We had to exclude him from the team. He’s getting better, but he hasn’t yet joined the squad for training.”
“He has some pain in his hip,” the ex-Everton midfielder said of Smith Rowe on Thursday.
“We’ll see what the physios say today and whether he’ll be ready to practice tomorrow.”
On a more promising side, Arteta will be able to focus on Martin Odegaard, who returned from an ankle injury to play in Norway’s 3-0 loss to Turkey.
Bernd Leno is likely to hold his spot in goal after making a mistake in the 3-3 draw with West Ham.
Calum Chambers flourished at right-back against the Hammers, but he could be relegated to the bench as Hector Bellerin returns to the starting lineup.
Kieran Tierney is set to start at left-back once more, with Gabriel filling in for the injured David Luiz in the center of the defense alongside Pablo Mari.
Arsenal fans can once again see Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka in central midfield, with Odegaard in the No10 role.
Nicolas Pepe could appear on the right flank in place of Saka, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang filling in on the opposite wing if Smith Rowe is unavailable.
After his starring performance in the dramatic draw at the London Stadium last time out, Alexandre Lacazette could be charged with leading the line once more.
This is another possible starting lineup for the Gunners against the Reds in North London.
