A few Arsenal youth players are with the squad ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool, amid reports that Gabriel Jesus will be absent.
As we wait for the official team news for Arsenal’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool on Sunday, various rumours have started to filter through about players involved in the squad.
Youth prospects Lino Sousa, Reuell Walters, and Ethan Nwaneri could all be seen in training photos ahead of the game, and reports on social media suggest the trio have joined the first-team at their pre-match hotel.
That doesn’t necessarily mean all three will be involved in the team or on the bench. Arsenal will often take at least one extra player to games in case of emergencies.
But it’s likely at least one or two of them will make the squad.
Elsewhere, there have been more concerning rumours involving Gabriel Jesus.
The striker couldn’t be spotted in training photos ahead of Sunday’s game, with various hints that Eddie Nketiah is set to start instead of the Brazilian.
The Daily Mail have since reported that Arsenal are sweating on Jesus’ availability against Liverpool due to a knee injury. The severity is unclear, but there is hope it won’t be a long-term issue.
Jesus had already dropped to the bench for Arsenal’s previous match against Fulham last Sunday, coming on as a substitute.
Other than Nketiah keeping his place over Jesus, you wouldn’t expect too many changes to Mikel Arteta’s favoured starting lineup in the Premier League.
The team have just had a week off after the Fulham game, and they’ll have a winter break following the Liverpool fixture.
Combine that with the fact the team are looking to end a run of defeats, and it’s likely the Gunners will go strong on Sunday afternoon.