Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may encounter a significant test against a resurgent Liverpool in the absence of five of his key players. The Gunners trail Sunday’s visitors to the Emirates Stadium by four points and require a favorable outcome.

Captain Martin Odegaard is unavailable due to an ankle injury, while William Saliba is suspended after receiving a red card against Bournemouth. Bukayo Saka is uncertain due to a minor hamstring strain, having been out from Arsenal’s last two matches.

Saliba’s absence is troubling, particularly as Arteta has recently lost Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori to injuries. Timber has not appeared since the initial half of Arsenal’s victory against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, while Calafiori sustained a knee injury and exited the match against Shakhtar Donetsk this week. Both are seen as questionable for the critical Premier League match against Liverpool.

Goalkeeper: Raya

David Raya is Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper and thankfully for Arteta, the Spaniard has endured few injury concerns during his year in North London. The former Brentford star made a couple of fine saves in the 1-0 win over Shakhtar in the Champions League.

Defenders: White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Zinchenko

Saliba will serve a one-match domestic suspension while Timber and Calafiori are considered doubts. That could present chances for Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Kiwior was introduced against Bournemouth following Saliba’s red card but was substituted late on. His performance was underwhelming, although he seems likely to be given another opportunity with few other options.

Zinchenko has lost the left-back role to Calafiori but will surely start against Liverpool if the summer signing is unavailable.

Midfielders: Rice, Partey, Merino

Arteta could entrust the same midfield that started against Bournemouth. For large periods at the Vitality Stadium, the trio of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino were passive and flat. They struggled to support an isolated Kai Havertz, even before Saliba’s red card left Arsenal a man down.

Arteta will likely know how to solve that issue. He also has the option of using Leandro Trossard as a No. 10.

Forwards: Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli

Gabriel Jesus could be handed a rare Premier League start if Saka remains unavailable. The Brazilian has begun only one top-flight match this season and was substituted on the hour mark during the 3-1 win over Southampton.

But Jesus performed well against Shakhtar and could start again. Gabriel Martinelli could win his place back after being used from the bench in the last two Premier League games.