Arteta confirms SIGNIFICANT injury blow that gives Liverpool title advantage | OneFootball

The countdown is on for Liverpool to play against Arsenal at Anfield next week.

It’s a game that could ALREADY have big repercussions for the Premier League title race - even at this early stage of the season.

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Arsenal have got off to a flyer - beating Manchester United away from home on matchday one before hammering Leeds at their north London home on Saturday.

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Mikel Arteta’s side will also be bolstered by the acquisition of Eberechi Eze - who completed a move from Crystal Palace earlier this week.

Arsenal make strong start

Liverpool have only played once - scoring four in their home win against Bournemouth last weekend - and face a tough examination against Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Monday night.

With Arsenal the closest team to Arne Slot’s Reds at the end of last season - and having spent another quarter of a BILLION pounds on new players - much will be expected from Arteta’s side.

If they fail to get any nearer to Liverpool then questions will surely be asked of a manager who has spent over £1bn with only an FA Cup and a couple of Community Shields to show for it.

Odegaard and Saka injured

There is reason to believe that Arsenal will be quaking in their boots.

It’s well over a decade since the Gunners won in the Premier League against Liverpool on Merseyside. And they will be facing the game on Sunday potentially without two of their most important players.

Martin Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury during the 5-0 win against Leeds and it remains to be seen how long their captain will be missing.

But more significantly, Arsenal’s chief attacking threat Bukayo Saka has suffered yet another hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old missed a huge chunk of last season owing to a hamstring injury and it looks like he is set for another spell on the sidelines following this latest blow.

© IMAGO - Bukayo Saka Liverpool

Arteta confirms SIGNIFICANT injury

Don’t forget Saka is Arsenal’s main corner taker from the right - meaning their biggest route to creating goals will potentially be blocked.

“For Bukayo to come off, for sure it looks like something that is significant,” Artera admitted to BeIN Sports.

“He felt something while he was sprinting. That’s never a good sign. We’ll have to wait tomorrow.

“Speak to the doctors as well and understand better what he does. But he’s had these injuries before. He knows exactly the feeling of that. So let’s wait.”

But they will take big encouragement from Arsenal’s main man being absent and relish the opportunity of putting a gap between themselves and last season’s runners-up so soon in the campaign.