Arsenal's Premier League title credentials face a fresh examination on Thursday night as they welcome a depleted Liverpool side to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, enjoying a superb run of form, sit six points clear at the summit, while the Reds are eight points adrift of the top three in fourth.
Injury Blow for Liverpool Ahead of Crucial Fixture
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is grappling with a significant injury crisis ahead of the trip to North London. The most notable absentee is star forward Alexander Isak, who is ruled out until March with a long-term issue. Slot confirmed the Swede's absence is a "big disappointment" for the club.
Further attacking woes come with the absence of Mo Salah, who is on international duty with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations. Midfielder Wataru Endo is also sidelined with an ankle problem expected to keep him out until mid-January, meaning this match comes too soon for his return.
Summer signing Geovanni Leoni remains a long-term casualty after tearing his ACL, with Slot previously stating the youngster faces around a year out. There is also a major doubt over striker Hugo Ekitike, who felt something in training. Scans revealed an issue, prompting Slot to state they "cannot take a risk" with the player, though he could still feature from the bench.
Arsenal's Squad Depth Tested Amid Busy Schedule
While in better form, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are not without their own selection headaches. Defender Riccardo Calafiori is not expected to return for another week after feeling discomfort during a warm-up in late December.
The Gunners will also be without young midfielder Max Dowman, who picked up an injury last weekend. Arteta confirmed scans showed Dowman "is going to be out for weeks." Another player facing a spell on the sidelines is Cristhian Mosquera, with Arteta revealing after the Aston Villa game that the defender's injury is "much more than what we expected" and will keep him out for weeks.
What This Means for the Premier League Showdown
This extensive list of absentees will undoubtedly shape the tactical battle at the Emirates. Arsenal's impressive lead at the top gives them a cushion, but facing a Liverpool side with nothing to lose presents a dangerous challenge. For Liverpool, missing key figures like Isak and Salah severely dents their attacking threat as they aim to close the gap on the league leaders.
Following this fixture, Arsenal will get a brief respite with an FA Cup break, should Arteta choose to rotate. For both managers, navigating these injury crises could prove pivotal in their respective seasons' ambitions.
