Arsenal have suffered a potential triple injury setback ahead of their crucial Premier League showdown with Liverpool after Mikel Arteta revealed why Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice missed Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.
The Gunners’ shock exit against the League Two side was not the only concern for Arteta, with the fitness of three first-team players now in focus just days before their trip to Anfield.
Arsenal were eliminated on penalties after failing to turn their attacking dominance into a decisive result against Fleetwood. However, the absence of Calafiori, Madueke and Rice added another concern for the manager as he prepares his squad for Sunday’s Super Sunday fixture against Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.
Arteta confirmed after the cup tie that all three players were unavailable because of fitness issues, although he did not provide a detailed recovery timeline for any of them.
“Riccardo was out, Noni was out with an ankle and Declan Rice was finished with a problem the other day. That’s why I had to substitute him.”
Calafiori’s absence comes after the Italian defender featured as a substitute in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton. He began that match on the bench before coming on in the second half, but was unavailable for the meeting with Fleetwood.
Madueke, meanwhile, was sidelined with an ankle problem, leaving Arsenal without another attacking option for the cup encounter. His availability for the Liverpool match will depend on how his condition develops ahead of the weekend.
Rice’s situation is another significant concern for Arteta. The England midfielder was forced off during the win over Everton after experiencing a problem, and his absence against Fleetwood followed that earlier substitution.
With Liverpool next on the schedule, Arsenal will be keen to establish the extent of the trio’s injuries and assess whether any of them can return in time for the trip to Anfield.
The timing is far from ideal. Fixtures between Arsenal and Liverpool are often demanding, and Arteta will want as many of his key players available as possible for a match that could prove important to their Premier League campaign.
Tuesday’s defeat has already delivered disappointment on the pitch, with Arsenal unable to progress in the Carabao Cup against lower-league opposition. The possibility of missing important players for the Liverpool clash could make the aftermath even more frustrating.
For now, Arteta’s update confirms the reasons behind the three absences but offers no definitive indication of when the players will return. Arsenal’s medical staff will continue to assess their fitness, with the build-up to Sunday’s encounter likely to provide a clearer picture.
The immediate focus is on whether Calafiori, Madueke and Rice can recover in time, as Arsenal prepare for a challenging test against Liverpool at Anfield.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
