Arsenal's Spanish first-team manager Mikel Arteta (R) talks with Arsenal's Scottish defender Kieran Tierney (L) on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by PAUL CHILDS / POOL / AFP)

Tierney back in training ahead of Liverpool: Plus other positive updates

Sep 27, 2020

Kieran Tierney should make the squad to face Liverpool on Monday, among a few positive injury updates from Arsenal this weekend.

arsenal fc v liverpool fc premier league 14 — LONDON, ENGLAND: Kieran Tierney challenges Mohamed Salah on July 15, 2020. (Photo by Paul Childs/Pool via Getty Images)

Arsenal report that Kieran Tierney is back in full training ahead of the Liverpool match, which is a big boost for Mikel Arteta. With all due respect, Sead Kolasinac was struggling in the left-centre-back position in Tierney’s absence.

There are no other players returning from injury for Liverpool, but a few are closing in on a comeback now. Sokratis and Cedric Soares will rejoin full training ‘in the coming days’, whilst Emile Smith Rowe is reintegrating ‘within the next week’.

From the long-term injury list, Pablo Mari is now close to a return too. Arsenal report that he’ll rejoin full training ‘within the next two weeks’.

Calum Chambers and Shkodran Mustafi are still on track for October recoveries, whilst Gabriel Martinelli is pushing to make it back before the end of the year.

There are no new setbacks, though Mari is just slightly behind his initial plan to return by the end of this month. That’s certainly not anything major to worry about though, and he’s clearly very close now.

For the most part, Arsenal will be able to name their strongest team against Liverpool. That’s certainly not a guarantee of a result, considering they’re playing the Premier League champions, but it’s a nice boost before the game.