Liverpool v Arsenal: Gunners star could return, Reds duo ruled out

© John Walton/PA Wire

Arsenal are unlikely to be able to welcome back any of their injured players when they travel to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday.

Rob Holding (knee), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin), Hector Bellerin (calf), Henrikh Mkhitaryan (ankle) and Danny Welbeck (ankle) are all out.

Defender Shkodran Mustafi is the only man with a slight chance of being involved but his return from a hamstring problem is not expected to come this weekend, while captain Laurent Koscielny should be fine following a foot issue in the draw at Brighton.

Provisional squad: Leno, Cech, Martinez, Jenkinson, Lichtsteiner, Koscielny, Papastathopoulos, Mustafi, Medley, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Iwobi, Ozil, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah.

Liverpool midfielder James Milner will miss out with a minor muscular injury.

Milner sat out the Boxing Day win over Newcastle and is not expected to return until Thursday’s trip to Manchester City.

Left-back Alberto Moreno has recovered from a back injury which saw him miss the Newcastle game, but striker Dominic Solanke (muscle) is also out.

Provisional squad: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Mignolet, Clyne, Moreno, Henderson, Keita, Lallana, Sturridge, Origi.