Arsenal Trio Returns to Training Ahead of Liverpool Clash
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that players Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, and Christos Tzolis participated in training ahead of the team’s upcoming match against Liverpool in the Premier League this Sunday. This announcement follows Arsenal’s unexpected Carabao Cup loss to Fleetwood Town.
In his comments made after the defeat, Arteta noted that Calafiori, Rice, and fellow teammate Noni Madueke were absent from the match against the League Two side due to fitness concerns. Arteta explained that Rice encountered an issue during last week’s victory over Everton, leading to his substitution in the 79th minute. Calafiori also displayed discomfort in the final moments of that match, heading straight down the tunnel afterward.
When questioned about the fitness of Rice, Tzolis, and Calafiori, Arteta responded positively, indicating, “They all trained today, they will train tomorrow and if all is okay, they will be available.”
Meanwhile, Madueke is managing an ankle injury, although Tzolis’s return could provide a boost to Arsenal’s options in light of Bukayo Saka’s absence due to a thigh injury and Max Dowman’s three-match suspension following a red card at Fleetwood.
Arteta has not ruled out Madueke’s availability as Arsenal aims to secure their first Premier League victory at Anfield since 2012, during Arteta’s time as a player under Arsène Wenger.
Addressing Madueke’s condition, Arteta stated, “We don’t know yet, we have a training session tomorrow, let’s see if he can complete it.” He provided further updates on Saka, who recently underwent a scan to assess the situation with fluid in his knee. Arteta declined to confirm whether Saka would be fit for the upcoming England international break on November 9, but he commented, “It looks likely but we’ll have to wait and see next week.”
Arsenal is set to face Liverpool at Anfield in the late kick-off on Sunday, with the potential to reclaim the top spot in the Premier League should they achieve a better result than Manchester City this weekend.
