Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard latest in six-man injury update before Liverpool | OneFootball

Gunners have several fitness issues lingering ahead of huge Premier League showdown at Anfield

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Mikel Arteta has issued a new update on the fitness of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool.

The Arsenal captain went for a scan last Sunday, which was positive and showed no significant damage.

“He is doing everything he can, we are doing everything that we can to make himself available - but we will have to wait and see tomorrow. There is an injury there, but hopefully if everything goes well, he can cope with it. But we don’t know yet.”

Blow: Arsenal skipper Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury against Leeds last weekend

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal will definitely be without Saka against Liverpool after he suffered a hamstring injury in the win over Leeds.

Saka is expected to be sidelined for around four weeks and was left out of the latest England squad announced on Friday.

“Bukayo is doing better, but he will be out for a few weeks unfortunately,” said Arteta. “No surgery. It is not as bad as the previous one (injury).

“Obviously he is very unfortunate to pick it up, it is on the other side [to his old injury]. It is an action that requires full power from him, then he clashes with the opponent, he needs to change pace again and he felt something.

“So, he will be out for a couple of weeks. Let’s see how he evolves in the next few days and weeks, repeat the scan and see where he is at.”

Kai Havertz will also be absent at Anfield after he underwent knee surgery on Thursday. Arsenal have described the operation as “minor” and it is hoped that the German will be out for weeks, not months.

Arteta said of Havertz on Friday: “I think it will be weeks, but I don’t know how many months. Very unfortunate, very sad for him. I think he did tremendously well to recover from the previous one (injury). He has never had an injury before and sadly this happens.

“But this is our profession, part of football, we need to live with that. Obviously, we lose another big player for many, many weeks - but it was the right thing to do on the doctor’s advice. I think he was very convinced at the end it was the quickest and best way to resolve that issue.

“Hopefully, the most important thing is when he gets back he is in good condition and middle and long term as well, we protect the player.”

Ben White is a doubt for the Liverpool game due to a muscle issue, along with summer signing Christian Norgaard. Winger Leandro Trossard is also now doubtful too.

Jurrien Timber, who scored twice and grabbed an assist against Leeds, is expected to start against Liverpool, though Gabriel Jesus is not yet ready to return from a long-term knee injury.

Asked about White and Norgaard, Arteta added: “That’s another two yet [who are doubts]. We don’t know yet, we have training tomorrow. There is a chance to get them involved in the game.”