Arsenal head into Sunday’s huge Premier League title race clash with Liverpool knowing they will be without a handful of their most important players.
While Mikel Arteta has ensured the Gunners have won more often than not since Martin Odegaard was injured back in September, the increased number of fitness woes have damaged their performances in recent weeks and this weekend’s match is one where any slip-up could prove fatal.
Arteta has managed to find answers to tactical conundrums in the past, but how can he negate a number of absentees in defence and still engineer a win at the Emirates Stadium?
Players who have been regular starters in Arsenal’s defence this season either aren’t available or hugely doubtful to play against Liverpool on Sunday.
William Saliba was sent off last week as the Gunners fell to their first defeat of the season at Bournemouth. Arsenal elected not to appeal against the red card, resulting in a one-game suspension which he will serve against Arne Slot’s Reds.
He was still available to play in the Champions League, which is where Riccardo Calafiori picked up his knee complaint. While the north Londoners beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0, Arteta gave a negative update on the Italy international’s knock.
Jurrien Timber hasn’t played since the 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the start of October and is another defender whose fitness Arteta is sweating over.
The Spaniard does at least have Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White available, but the door has been opened for the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior to feature.
Pray that Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are fit
Saliba and Gabriel are Arsenal‘s two most prominent defenders, but the versatility that Timber and Calafiori bring to the squad is a massive advantage for Arteta. The pair are tough tacklers and boast enough football IQ to play out from the back.
If both pull through on matchday, it opens up more possibilities for their manager. Either one of them could shuffle into the middle to partner Gabriel, with Ben White left to fill in whichever position is left vacant.
Timber and Calafiori were both part of the rearguard that almost snatched a win at Manchester City, with their doggedness proving crucial. If one or both are unavailable, Arteta will have to turn to an undoubtedly weaker option in reserve.
Potential lineup
White – Gabriel – Calafiori – Timber
Play Jakub Kiwior at centre-back
As hard as Arsenal try, there may be no avoiding a somewhat unfancied player getting significant minutes against Liverpool.
Jakub Kiwior has only had brief runs in the Gunners lineup since his move in January earlier this year but the absences of other players mean he has a very real chance of playing a big role at the Emirates.
His only club start in all competitions so far in 2024/25 came during a Carabao Cup thrashing of Bolton Wanderers, but he played for Poland during the October international break and should be sharp enough to contribute on Sunday.
Potential lineup
White – Gabriel – Kiwior – Zinchenko
Park the bus with 5 defenders
OK, playing five defenders at home against title rivals probably isn’t the way to get fans off their seats, but hear us out.
Arsenal put in their most cohesive collective defensive display of the campaign after Leandro Trossard was sent off at Man City, with Timber, White, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori almost keeping the Premier League champions out for a whole half with one fewer player.
It would place the emphasis on Liverpool to dictate the game and try to break down what has been an incredible resilient defence over the past few years. It might stink of anti-football, but imagine the scenes if it worked.
Potential lineup
Partey – White – Gabriel – Kiwior – Zinchenko
