Mikel Arteta reveals 'very, very uncertain' injury updates on Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber as Gunners prepare for title showdown with Liverpool

Winger Saka has been missing for the Gunners since getting injured on England duty earlier this month, Calafiori picked up a knee issue in the midweek Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, and Timber has been out of action since the start of October. Now, manager Arteta has issued a concerning update on them ahead of hosting Liverpool on Sunday at the Emirates.

When asked about the injured trio, he told reporters on Friday: "We’re going to do our very best to somehow have them available but it’s very uncertain. [Saka] has done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him to Sunday, that’s a different question. We have another day, which is a good thing, but we’ll see. [Calafiori] needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more and after that we will know. Last time we thought it was really bad and he ended up playing two or three days after, so let’s see how it is. Timber, again, it’s the first session that he could have some involvement. He’s been out for a while, we expected him to be further back than where he is at the moment but, again, we have to wait and see.”

Third-placed Arsenal host table-toppers Liverpool this weekend in a heavyweight clash in the Premier League. If the Gunners are to close the gap on the Reds, they will need the likes of Saka to be fit and firing for this contest. A loss for Arteta's side could be pivotal in their bid to win their first league title since 2004.

After hosting Arne Slot's team, who have a four-point cushion over the north London side, Arsenal round off October with a trip to Championship side Preston North End in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.