Liverpool are set for their toughest test so far of the 2022/23 season when they go head-to-head with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
The Gunners have enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign, winning seven of the eight matches they have participated in this term. Manchester United are the only team to have got the better of the north London side, a defeat which occurred at the start of last month.
A major factor behind Arsenal's strong start has been their inspired summer transfer business, with Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko all hitting the ground running following their arrivals.
READ MORE: Liverpool hit by new injury blow before Arsenal clash as midfielder sidelined
Arteta's men have largely avoided injury setbacks this term and enter this weekend's match with close to a full squad being available for selection. Midfield duo Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny are the only two individuals ruled out of the game as they continue to work their way back to full fitness.
Elneny is suffering from a 'long-term' hamstring issue, according to the Gunners' boss, sustained in a win over Fulham in September and is believed to be sidelined for months rather than weeks. Smith Rowe, meanwhile, was dealt a blow in pre-season after picking up a knock and aggravated this issue when making his first-team return in Arsenal's loss to United at Old Trafford. The England international has since undergone surgery and has an unknown return date.
Arteta though could face some uncertainty over the fitness of one of his summer arrivals. According to football.london, Zinchenko missed training on Wednesday before being left out of the squad to face FK Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
The decision is said to have been taken as a precaution rather than a serious injury, although it remains to be seen whether the former Manchester City star will be fit to return against Liverpool.
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