Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a number of injury concerns to contend with ahead of the FA Cup clash against Liverpool.
The Reds arrive in better form, having won both their games against Burnley and Newcastle after the draw against the Gunners.
In contrast, Arsenal have slumped to defeat against West Ham United and Fulham respectively.
However, the London club have won each of their last three FA Cup meetings with Liverpool.
Additionally, Mikel Arteta’s will have the added advantage of playing at home, where their record has been (for the most part) strong this season.
Now speaking to the press to preview the fixture, the Spanish manager has spoken about the fitness of Oleksandr Zinchenko (via Charles Watts Football):
“He’s progressing well. We have another training session tomorrow and we will evaluate if he is available or not to play and start the game.”
With Takahiro Tomiyasu linking up with Wataru Endo for the Asia Cup, Arsenal will have to dig deep to fill the left-back spot.
Ben White or Jakub Kiwior will be the likely candidates to plug the gap.
However, White may not feature as he is reportedly still nursing a knee problem he sustained against Burnley in November.
The Ukrainian is not the only player potentially missing the third-round tie.
Thomas Partey will not be available for Sunday despite not attending AFCON with Ghana:
“It was about common sense. He had a long term injury, he’s been trying to push his rehab.”
“He really wanted to be with his national team, but obviously he’s still far from training with the team and it didn’t make a lot of sense to be involved.”
Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka
According to Football London, Bukayo Saka is currently managing an Achilles tendon problem.
When quizzed on the possibility of resting Saka, the Arsenal boss said:
“I don’t know, obviously there are a lot of games, but they looked really good, they looked fresh and when you win you don’t look at that,” Arteta replied.
“They are young – if they were 35 then maybe it’s a different question.”
“They have a lot of energy, they can keep going, that’s for sure.”
You can view our predicted XI for the clash here.