Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he has a fully fit squad at his disposal ahead of the rescheduled Premier League encounter at home to Liverpool on Wednesday night. The Gunners boss gave an update on his team ahead of the Liverpool game in his pre-match presser on Tuesday as he revealed that his team must be at their best to beat Liverpool.
Japan international defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was the only injury absentee for Arsenal before the Liverpool game, but Arteta says he has recovered from the calf injury that has plagued him over the last two months. The Arsenal manager said they are not keen to push Tomiyasu so as to prevent an injury setback. Tomiyasu has not played for the Gunners since the 2-0 home loss to Liverpool in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie in January. He had been injured during the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the league around two weeks before the Liverpool game. Tomiyasu was rushed back for the Liverpool game and he went on to aggravate his calf issues during the game. In one of his press conferences after the Liverpool game at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta said Tomiyasu picked up an injury in his other calf from being rushed back for the Liverpool game.
In the absence of Tomiyasu at right-back, Portuguese star Cedric Soareshas done well for Arsenal and he should start the latest Liverpool game at the Emirates Stadium with both teams looking to continue their winning run.
Arsenal are on a five-match winning run which has aided them in their quest for Champions League football, while Liverpool have won their last eight league games to close the gap on leaders Manchester City. Liverpool are now within four points of City and a win over Arsenal will close that gap to one point.