Arsenal injury updates pre-Liverpool as midfielder suffers setback

As Arsenal prepares for a pivotal Premier League clash against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Mikel Arteta has provided crucial injury updates.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal applauds the fans as he leaves the field following his substitution during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

In the build-up to Sunday’s critical Premier League encounter with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a significant update on his squad’s fitness. The Gunners, aiming to avenge a recent FA Cup defeat and keep their title hopes alive, received mixed news.

Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Jesus is back in the fold, having trained fully with the team throughout the week, signalling his availability for the upcoming match.

However, Thomas Partey faces a fresh setback, with a minor issue ruling him out of the squad. The midfielder felt discomfort in a familiar area, casting uncertainty over his return.

“Gabi played and trained with us the whole week,” Arteta said. “With Thomas unfortunately we had a little set back a few days ago. He’s not going to be available in the squad. We don’t know if it’s a few days or weeks.

“He felt something in a very similar area and he wasn’t able to train the last few days.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Thomas Partey of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 21: Thomas Partey of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Asked to elaborate more on Partey’s setback, Arteta said, “Yeah, a big concern because he’s such an important player for us and then we lost him for a while. Now, it’s been a long time without him

“They’ve been different kinds of injuries. Not everything is bad luck but there are a lot of things that are difficult to control. The player has an history where he’s issues in the past so we have to protect him.”

Liverpool have a five-point lead over Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League table, further heightening the stakes of this encounter. Following a slip in form over the Christmas period, Arsenal has managed to steer back on course with consecutive wins, setting the stage for a match that could define their season.

The 4:30 pm GMT kick-off on Sunday at the Emirates marks a crucial juncture for Arteta’s side, as they seek redemption against a Liverpool team missing key players like Mohamed Salah and potentially Darwin Nunez due to injuries. With the game broadcast across multiple Sky Sports channels, fans are poised for a thrilling contest that could have significant implications for the title race.

As the Gunners gear up for this season-defining match, all eyes will be on how they navigate the challenges posed by Liverpool, aiming to narrow the gap at the top of the table.