Arsenal team vs Liverpool confirmed as Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori decisions made

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka STARTS for the Gunners this afternoon after overcoming an injury issue leading up to the game. But defender Riccardo Calafiori misses out for Mikel Arteta's side.

Jurrien Timber, another doubt heading into the weekend, is also named in the Arsenal team. He will be at left-back with Ben White and Gabriel in the center thanks to William Saliba being suspended . Thomas Partey will slot in at right-back.

"We are going to do our very best to somehow [Saka, Timber and Calafiori] them available. But it's very, very uncertain," Arteta had told reporters at his pre-match press conference a couple of days ago. On Saka, he explained: "He's done a bit of training on the grass. How far we can get him before Sunday, that's another question. We have another day, that's a good thing. But we will see."

As for Calafiori, he said: "He needs some more tests, yesterday he had some and today he will have some more. Let's see how it is."

Timber has been closing in on a return but it was thought that this game might come too soon. "It was the first session [Friday] that he could have some involvement," Arteta said. "He’s been out a while. We thought he would be further ahead."

Declan Rice and Mikel Merino will play in the Arsenal midfield with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz making up the rest of the Gunners' attacking line. Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are among the options from the bench.

Liverpool starting team in full: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz. Subs: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton.

Arsenal starting XI in full: Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli; Havertz. Subs: Neto, Nichols, Kiwior, Ziunchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.