Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal vs Liverpool lineup declaration as SEVEN stars could miss match

Arsenal could potentially be without up to seven senior first-team players for their crunch early-season Premier League title clash against Liverpool

Mikel Arteta insists he’s willing to roll the dice at Liverpool – by unleashing an Arsenal frontline that has never played together before. The Spaniard, who could be without seven first-team stars including star man Bukayo Saka, has no qualms about springing a surprise with his team selection at Anfield.

He said of his forwards: “I fully trust them. We haven’t got Gabriel Jesus, we haven’t got Kai Havertz and we don’t have Bukayo. That is our reality and Leandro Trossard too, probably. It’s also our reality that we are going to have to find something and probably something we haven’t done before but it can work really well, as well.”

Eberechi Eze is primed to make his Gunners debut and if he pips Gabriel Martinelli to a starting berth, Arsenal’s entire front three could be made up of new signings with Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke both expected to keep their place following the 5-0 demolition of Leeds.

When asked if Arsenal’s unpredictability could work to their advantage, Arteta added: “I think it can for sure, the more they have to adapt and find solutions and prepare things, the busier they’re going to be with us and that’s a very positive thing.”

In addition to crocked trio Jesus, Havertz and Saka, captain Martin Odegaard is also facing a late fitness test while Trossard, Christian Norgaard and Ben White remain fitness doubts. It means the Gunners could potentially be without seven senior first-team stars on Sunday.

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Four years ago before a bruising 4-0 defeat on Merseyside, Arteta dragged a set of speakers to the side of the training pitch in an attempt to replicate the vociferous Anfield atmosphere.

Now, he takes comfort in the fact his side are already well equipped for the big occasions, stating: “I feel that we are stronger now and we are more mature. We went through a lot of experiences together and that was the preparation that sometimes you need. That’s why I am convinced that we can go to Anfield and get the result that we want.”

While the Gunners are unbeaten in six Premier League meetings with the Reds – they have not registered a win inside 90 minutes at Anfield since September 2012, a match which Arteta himself started. Arteta is hungry to finally notch up a maiden managerial win that silences the Kop.

He continued: “I look at every little moment and ground where we lost points. Last year we lost a lot of points at home and there were a lot of draws that we should have converted into wins.

“That was the big gap but if you look at our record in the past two or three years especially against the big teams, we were very consistent. We want to go out there and win, that’s the way we have prepared for the game on Sunday and we will try to do it again.”

Mohamed Salah recently labelled Arsenal Premier League title “favourites”. Left-back Riccardo Calafiori is not so sure, responding: “We are contenders for sure, we have a top team. But obviously the Premier League is the toughest league in the world so you never know. Every weekend you are playing for the title, so it’s going to be tough.”

Calafiori is relishing the battle with Liverpool’s Egyptian King, adding: “Every weekend in the Premier League you face different qualities against different opponents, especially on the wing. The wingers are really fast and good, he is a top player but I’m looking forward to playing against him.”

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