Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is under pressure to find the perfect solution to William Saliba's suspension in Sunday's Premier League blockbuster against Liverpool at the Emirates.

The Frenchman will be watching on helplessly following his red card in last weekend's 2-0 loss to Bournemouth, and Arteta's rearguard may be further depleted by the absence of Riccardo Calafiori, who hurt his knee against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Calafiori's chances of a comeback on Sunday are considered slim to none, so the Italian could join Martin Odegaard (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) in the medical bay.

In brighter news, there is a good chance that Jurrien Timber could be back from a muscular issue in time for Sunday, where the Dutchman could take up right-back duties as Ben White moves across to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in the centre.

Interestingly, Myles Lewis-Skelly was selected to replace the injured Calafiori in midweek, but the vastly more experienced Oleksandr Zinchenko will surely get the nod from the off at left-back instead.

Thomas Partey and Declan Rice are immovable in midfield, and it would not be surprising to see Mikel Merino join the pair in the engine room, as Arteta prepares for an extremely physical battle.

Arteta could sacrifice Leandro Trossard for Merino if Bukayo Saka shakes off his hamstring concern in time for Sunday, and the Englishman is thought to have a good chance of being fit in what would be a monumental boost to the hosts.

Saka would no doubt form a fearsome front three with Kai Havertz - out to score for the sixth Premier League home game running - and Gabriel Martinelli, who boasts five goals and two assists from previous games against Liverpool.

While none of Saka, Calafiori or Timber were seen in training on Friday, Arteta refused to rule them out in his pre-game press conference and loves the smoke-and-mirrors tactic, so there is every chance that the former and latter will be fit.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; Timber, White, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Merino, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

> Click here to see how Liverpool could line up for this clash

Written by
Ben Knapton