Mikel Arteta gives Bukayo Saka injury update as Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool

Arsenal manager said his team will do their best to have , Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber available against Liverpool but the situation on the trio is "uncertain".

Saka has been missing for the Gunners since . Arteta was pessimistic about the forward's availability when he spoke around , confirming Saka had yet to return to training.

The academy product wasn't anywhere to be seen as the Gunners' first team trained on Friday. Calafiori and Timber were also absent after injury issues of their own.

fans already knew the team would go into Sunday's match against top-of-the table without the services of William Saliba. The centre-back is serving a one-match ban after the Gunners opted not to appeal .

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

"We are going to do our very best to somehow have them available. But it's very, very uncertain," Arteta told reporters at his pre-match press conference. On Calafiori, he said: "He needs some more tests, yesterday he had some and today he will have some more. Let's see how it is."

As for Saka, he explained: "He's done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday, that's another question. We have another day, that's a good thing. But we will see."

Timber has been closing in on a return but this game could come too soon. "It was the first session [Friday] that he could have some involvement," Arteta said. "He’s been out a while. We thought he would be further ahead."

Will any of Arsenal's injured players return? Have your say in the

Liverpool will be without some first-teamers as well. Reds keeper Alisson is some way off a return from a hamstrong injury he picked up against before the international break, while there are doubts over several others including Diogo Jota.

"[Alisson is] progressing well like we expect but it's not a shot-term recovery, so difficult to judge him," Reds manager told reporters. "The best way to judge an injury us at the end phase of his rehab and he's not there yet. I can't tell you how long he will be out but don't expect him to be at in the cup or next week."

"I think [Jota, Federico Chiesa and Conor Bradley] feel good but not when it comes to playing for us during the weekend. Federico might train with us today or tomorrow, but Jota definitely not [available against Arsenal] and Conor Bradley, let's see if he can be with us tomorrow."

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our