Is Bukayo Saka fit to face Liverpool? Latest Arsenal injury news | OneFootball

Arsenal face an almighty test of their Premier League title credentials this Sunday. Not only do last season's runners-up welcome in-form Liverpool to north London, they do so without a handful of important first-teamers.

William Saliba is arguably the biggest absentee given his importance to Arsenal's backline - the Frenchman is suspended after his red card at Bournemouth last weekend - but skipper Martin Odegaard is also unavailable. Mikel Arteta must deal with a full-back injury crisis, too.

Bukayo Saka has been key in replacing some of the ingenuity that Arsenal have lacked in Odegaard's absence over the past month and a half, but the indefatigable winger is himself a major doubt for the weekend after missing the Gunners' last two outings.

Here is the latest injury news regarding Arsenal's 'Starboy'.

What injury does Bukayo Saka have?

Saka was injured on international duty / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages

The September international break left Odegaard sidelined and the October break forced Saka into the treatment room. The forward pulled his hamstring in England's shock 2-1 defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League, lasting just 51 minutes before being replaced at Wembley.

Saka missed England's subsequent game against Finland and returned to north London earlier than expected in the hope that he would be available for Arsenal's clash with Bournemouth last weekend.

However, the usually durable Saka missed the 2-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium and was also sidelined for Arsenal's midweek victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

When will Bukayo Saka return from injury?

Mikel Arteta is unsure on Saka's return / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Saka is a significant doubt for Sunday's visit from Liverpool, with left-back Andy Robertson certainly hopeful that the England international will miss out at the weekend. However, Arsenal boss Arteta has refused to rule Saka out of contention.

Speaking to the media before the game, the Spaniard stated: "He's done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday is another question. We will see."

Arteta added: "We're going to do our very best to somehow have them [Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Saka] available. It's very, very uncertain."

Saka has an incredible injury record given how often he's on the receiving end of physical treatment from opposition defenders. There have been many occasions where the 23-year-old has hobbled off late in a match yet started the next game just a few days later.

Even if Saka does miss the weekend, Arteta's comments suggest he won't be sidelined for too much longer.

How can Arsenal replace Bukayo Saka?

Gabriel Jesus replaced Saka midweek / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Arsenal have several options when it comes to replacing Saka, although few players in world football can successfully imitate the fleet-footed winger.

Loanee Raheem Sterling started last weekend's loss at the Vitality Stadium, although he lasted just 37 minutes before being sacrificed for defensive reinforcements following Saliba's red card. Given his fairly tame start to life in north London, it seems unlikely he will feature from the beginning against his former employers this weekend.

Gabriel Jesus was preferred against Shakhtar midweek and the Brazilian offered up a passable performance. He featured regularly at right wing during his time with Manchester City but finds himself bang out of form at the moment. Despite scoring six in 15 against Liverpool, he is without a goal for the Gunners since January in competitive fixtures.

There is also the possibility that Leandro Trossard is utilised on the right of a front three. The versatile Belgian has been used on the left wing, in midfield and as a false nine during his Gunners career but may be favoured elsewhere against Liverpool.