Bukayo Saka injury timeline set by Mikel Arteta as Martin Odegaard faces race against time to be fit for Arsenal's trip to Liverpool

If losing Saka wasn’t enough, club captain Odegaard is also a major doubt. The Norwegian has not yet returned to full training, with Arteta admitting his skipper’s involvement against Liverpool will depend on whether he can get a session under his belt on the eve of the clash.

Arteta revealed that Saka will be out for weeks, but surgery will not be required. 

"Bukayo is doing better, but he will be out for a few weeks," confirmed the Arsenal boss. "No surgery. It’s not as bad as the previous one, very unfortunate. It was an action that required full power from him, had to change direction and he felt something."

Meanwhile, Odegaard has not yet returned to full training, with Arteta admitting his skipper’s involvement against Liverpool will depend on whether he can get a session under his belt on the eve of the clash.

"He hasn’t trained yet and, if he does, it will be tomorrow,’ Arteta said.

The setbacks come at a time when Arsenal’s squad is already stretched. Ben White remains unavailable, while summer recruit Christian Norgaard and forward Kai Havertz are also sidelined. To add to the concerns, Leandro Trossard has emerged as a fresh doubt after picking up a knock.

For Arsenal, Sunday’s match is shaping up as more than just another fixture. It’s a test of depth, mentality and tactical flexibility. With Saka ruled out and Odegaard facing a race against the clock, the Gunners will have to rely on fresh faces and collective resilience. If they can emerge from Anfield unscathed, it will not only maintain their perfect start but also send a powerful message to their title rivals that Arsenal’s fight is far deeper than two star names.