Arsenal will take on Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday and there’s a big chance that midfielder Granit Xhaka will be an absentee for this key encounter.
Arteta will be without some of his regular first-team players like David Luiz, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe and the name of Xhaka could also be added to this list after the Swiss international did not train with the Arsenal squad due to illness.
The Mirror reported: “Granit Xhaka is another doubt though, with the Swiss midfielder missing training on Friday due to illness.
“Xhaka will be assessed on Saturday before the Gunners decide whether or not he’ll be available.”
Granit Xhaka has formed a formidable partnership with Thomas Partey in midfield and his absence will surely be a massive blow for the Gunner boss.
David Luiz is out of tomorrow’s game against Liverpool with a knee injury.
Granit Xhaka was sick this morning and will be assessed ahead of the match.
Willian is available. Smith Rowe and Saka face fitness tests. pic.twitter.com/7jJam8IAAh
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) April 2, 2021
But thankfully, Arteta has a few backups who can perform the same role as Xhaka.
Elneny was a regular in the starting line-up during the first half of the season and if Xhaka misses out due to illness then the Egyptian international is likely to get feature alongside Thomas Partey vs Liverpool
Dani Ceballos is another option for the Arsenal manager but we don’t think Arteta will be too inclined to use the Spaniard.