Mikel Arteta issues new Arsenal injury update ahead of Liverpool showdown | OneFootball

Injury problems have cleared up but Gunners still missing players

Arsenal face Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Thursday

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Riccardo Calafiori has been ruled out of Arsenal's crunch clash with Liverpool.

Calafiori has missed three matches since then and Mikel Arteta has confirmed he will once again be unavailable the visit of Liverpool to Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

Arsenal will also be without Cristhian Mosquera, who suffered an ankle injury against Brentford at the start of December.

Arsenal will again be without Riccardo Calafiori against Liverpool

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arteta said at the time that the centre-back would be out for "weeks" and Mosquera has not yet returned to training.

Asked if Calafiori and Mosquera are available to Liverpool, Arteta said: “No."

Pushed on when they will be back fit again, the Arsenal boss said: "I think pretty soon.

“They have to go the last stage of the rehab. Hopefully very soon they'll be available for selection."

The injury situation is otherwise fairly positive for Arsenal, who have had their options in attack bolstered by returning stars.

Kai Havertz did not make the squad against Bournemouth on Saturday but that was a load management decision rather than any setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

"We are monitoring,” said Arteta, whose side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Sunday. “He's been out for a long time. He's very close, he trained this morning again.

“Hopefully we're going to have him available and the best version of Kai very soon."