Now that both teams have already played this weekend, it is time to look ahead to the massive Premier League crunch clash on Thursday: Liverpool FC visiting Arsenal. Arsenal beat AFC Bournemouth 3-2 yesterday while Liverpool stalemated, 2-2, with Fulham earlier today. Coming out of the draw with the Craven Cottagers, Reds boss Arne Slot discussed the fitness situation with his high-priced strikers, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak.
The former missed out today due to what has been deemed a “slight hamstring injury” while the latter remains out with a broken leg.
Arsenal vs Liverpool FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs. Jan 8, 2026, at 8pm, Emirates Stadium, London
Google Result Probability: Arsenal 59% Draw 23% Liverpool 18%
PL Position, Form Guide: Arsenal 1st, 48 pts WWWWW Liverpool 4th,34 pts WWWDD
Team News for Both Sides
“That is hard to say if he’s back for the next one (against Arsenal in midweek) but it’s not a serious injury as if he’s out for as long as Alex is out,” Slot said, responding to a reporter query about Ekitike during his postmatch news conference today.
“But it is clear our other striker Isak is out for a long time. You never risk a player because you always listen to the medical staff and the player himself.
“But we have to take into account that there are a lot of games to be played in the upcoming weeks and months. In this moment we have one striker already being out so we have to make the right decision for the next one against Arsenal.
“If he’s ready, he’s ready. If not somebody else needs to play like today.”
Needless to say, they could really use Ekitike.
Mo Salah remains away at AFCON, playing for the Egyptian national team, so once again, the Merseyside club could be very short-handed it attack on Thursday night. But hey, at least they still have Cody Gakpo. Moving to the middle of the park, Wataru Endo (ankle/foot) hasn’t resumed training yet, so he’s still looking at a mid-January return.
There was some good news though in the back line, over the weekend, as Joe Gomez returned.
Shfting over to the other touchline, Kai Havertz was left out of the squad yesterday, but only for precautionary reasons, as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is managing his minutes.
Otherwise the situation basically remains the same. Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera (both ankle) are still sidelined, and will remain so for awhile yet.
Riccardo Calafiori (unspecified muscle injury) is moving closer towards a return, but this match will come too soon for him.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, RG.org and Ratings.org. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.