Arsenal's central defensive pairing have received a significant boost ahead of their crucial Premier League encounter with Liverpool, with the visitors sweating over the fitness of their star striker.
Ekitike Hamstring Issue Poses Major Problem for Reds
Liverpool manager Arne Slot faces an anxious wait to see if his top scorer, Hugo Ekitike, will be fit for the trip to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night. The 23-year-old forward, who has been in scintillating form, missed last weekend's dramatic 2-2 draw with Fulham due to a hamstring problem.
Speaking ahead of the match, Slot provided an update, stating: "He's not trained with us until now. Let's see if he can today. I said, two or three days ago when we played Fulham, that he's not going to be out for long but, because games come so fast, he's in between maybe training with the team or it may take him one or two days extra."
Ekitike's potential absence is a severe blow for a Liverpool side seeking to close a 14-point gap to the league-leading Gunners. Since the beginning of December, the Frenchman has netted five Premier League goals, outperforming teammate Alexander Isak following his £69 million summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gabriel and Saliba Eye Return to Clean Sheet Form
For Arsenal defenders Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, the news will be warmly welcomed. The duo have found clean sheets hard to come by since Gabriel's return from injury, conceding in matches against Brighton, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth.
This contrasts sharply with the foundation of Arsenal's early-season success, where they conceded just three goals in their opening ten fixtures. Facing an in-form Ekitike would have been their toughest test, with the striker earning plaudits from legends like Alan Shearer, who called him 'brilliant', and Wayne Rooney, who labelled him one of the signings of the season.
Title Race Context and Stakes at the Emirates
While the title race appears to be slipping from Liverpool's grasp, the match remains vital for Champions League qualification and pride. Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are in rampant form, having won their last seven consecutive matches.
Liverpool travel to North London unbeaten in nine across all competitions but with momentum stunted by recent draws against Leeds United and Fulham. The showdown at the Emirates, originally earmarked as a potential title decider, now represents a critical moment for Slot's side to prove their mettle against the league's best.
The fitness of Hugo Ekitike could well be the deciding factor in whether Liverpool can puncture Arsenal's formidable defence and disrupt their march at the summit of the Premier League.
