Liverpool vs Arsenal is next, and Arsenal's week has become a race against scans, training updates and one suspension too many. Declan Rice trained on Monday but was not named in the matchday squad against Fleetwood Town, Noni Madueke picked up an ankle issue against Everton, and Max Dowman is suspended after being sent off against Fleetwood.
Rice, Madueke and Calafiori
Mikel Arteta said of Rice: "Declan finished with a problem the other day [vs. Everton], that is why I had to substitute him." He was asked about Riccardo Calafiori as well, and said the defender had "a slight issue" that looked "very small," but that he was being cautious with it.
Calafiori had started all of the previous seven Premier League games, so Arsenal are not dealing with a bit-part defender here. Rice has already made 8 Premier League appearances this season, and his 7.41 league rating points to a player Arsenal have leaned on heavily. Calafiori's 7.17 rating sits in the same range, which is why both absences would be more than cosmetic if they reach Liverpool vs Arsenal.
Liverpool's own doubt
Liverpool are dealing with a fitness issue of their own. Andoni Iraola, speaking in the source update, said Dominik Szoboszlai "is going to be out this weekend" and had not trained with the group, while also saying he was training outside alone. He was forced off after just 32 minutes in Liverpool's comeback win over nine-man Brentford.
Iraola is the name attached to that update, although the wider Liverpool context around the piece makes that identification awkward. The practical point is clearer: Szoboszlai is not ready, and Liverpool's build-up to Liverpool's meeting with Arsenal is not free of its own selection noise. Szoboszlai has only 6 Premier League appearances, so this is still a managed return rather than a player Arsenal can expect to face at full sharpness on Sunday.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
