Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Faces Injury Woes Ahead of FA Cup Clash with Liverpool
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will have to contend with the absence of five key first-team players when his side takes on Liverpool in the FA Cup. Two players will also be departing for mid-season tournaments, further limiting Arteta’s options.
On the other hand, Liverpool will be without nine senior players for the match, including Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, and Wataru Endo. This adds to their already lengthy injury list, leaving Jurgen Klopp with limited options in midfield.
The scheduling of the match also seems to favor Arsenal, as their next game is almost two weeks later. In contrast, Liverpool will be playing again just three days after the FA Cup tie, with their Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham cutting into the Premier League’s winter break.
Arteta does have a more favorable injury situation compared to Klopp, with Oleksandr Zinchenko potentially returning from a calf issue. Arteta expressed optimism about Zinchenko’s progress and stated that a final decision on his availability would be made after a training session.
However, Arsenal will still be without Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, and Fabio Vieira, as well as two players departing for international duty. Takehiro Tomiyasu has joined Endo in the Japan squad for the Asian Cup, while Mohamed Elneny will be captained by Salah as part of Egypt’s squad at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In their recent defeat against Fulham, Arteta made three changes to the starting lineup, including Jakub Kiwior at left-back. If Zinchenko is unable to play, Kiwior is likely to retain his position against Liverpool. Gabriel Jesus is expected to replace Eddie Nketiah up front, although Arteta may make further rotations to the team.
Possible Arsenal XI vs. Liverpool: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Saka, Trossard, Jesus.