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Mikel Arteta to make late call on Arsenal star to face Liverpool after triple injury boost

Arsenal travels to face Liverpool at Anfield for a blockbuster Premier League clash on Sunday, and the Gunners could be boosted by the return of several key stars for the match

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta welcome back four first-team players for Sunday's clash with Liverpool

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice and Christos Tzolis have all returned to training for Arsenal ahead of Sunday's blockbuster Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The Gunners come into the tie off the back of a humiliating Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to League Two minnows Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, in which youngster Max Dowman was sent off and will miss this weekend's game in Merseyside, as they aim to secure their first away league win against the Reds since September 2012.

Arsenal was without Calafiori, Rice, Tzolis, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba for that midweek penalty shoot-out defeat in the northwest, but more than half of those could now return to the matchday squad this weekend.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Arteta confirmed that Calafiori, Rice and Tzolis all trained today ahead of Arsenal's clash with Liverpool, suggesting they could all be involved in some capacity on Sunday, in a huge boost for the Gunners.

"They all trained today, they will train tomorrow and if all is okay, they will be available," he said.

Elsewhere, Madueke could also be in with a shout of returning, provided he comes through tomorrow's session unscathed.

Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice
Riccardo Calafiori and Declan Rice both trained on Friday ahead of Sunday's game at Anfield

"We don't know yet. We have a training session tomorrow, see if he can complete the full session. After that we will know if he's available," said Arteta of the England international.

As for Liverpool, head coach Andoni Iraola has suggested that both Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz could feature against Arsenal, as the pair face a late fitness test to be involved on Sunday.

The pair have been missing for the past few games, with both stars suffering injuries against Brentford earlier in the month, which have ruled them out of action.

It has come as a slight blow to Iraola, who has had to rotate his options during a busy fixture period, but with a difficult clash with Arsenal just around the corner, there is some slight hope that both Szoboszlai and Munoz could feature in some capacity against the Gunners.

Noni Madueke
Arteta said a late call will be made on winger Noni Madueke following Saturday's training session

Speaking to the press ahead of the match, the Liverpool boss said on their fitness: "I think they [Szoboszlai and Munoz] have a chance, they have a chance but I don't know for sure if they will be involved or not but we still have two days so I think we have a chance."

Unlike Arsenal, Liverpool progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in midweek by winning Wednesday's penalty shootout with Chelsea following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes at Anfield, setting the Reds up with another home tie against Iraola's former side, Bournemouth, in the next round.

In the Premier League, Liverpool is up to 4th after last weekend's 2-0 home victory over early high-flyers Brighton, though the Reds still sit six points behind Arteta's Arsenal, who remain in 2nd behind Manchester City on goal difference, despite defeating Everton last time out.

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