Arsenal have 3 players ruled out vs Liverpool; 3 more are doubts

Arsenal have three players certainly ruled out against Liverpool this weekend. Another three could miss the game, too.

Liverpool host Arsenal this weekend in one of the biggest games of the season. The Gunners sit on top of the Premier League, with the Reds just one point behind in second place.

Aston Villa, though, could shock everyone and take the Christmas top-spot, however, if they win their fixture and the game at Anfield finishes in a draw. Manchester City, four points behind Liverpool, know they can close the gap on at least one team at the top if they win their match.

A massive game, then, and one that will have a bearing on the title race no matter what happens.

Arsenal, though, will not go into it at full strength. They've got at least three players ruled out of this one, and it could end up being six.

Full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fabio Vieira, once linked heavily with Liverpool, are both out until the New Year. Jurrien Timber will be rehabbing his ACL injury for a long time to come.

But per Football.London, Arsenal are waiting on three more players.

Jorginho has been out lately but told FL that he should be okay for the weekend. Mohamed Elneny seems less likely - he reportedly has a hamstring issue and it's more likely he returns for Egypt at AFCON than for Arsenal this weekend.

Thomas Partey is another midfielder who may miss the trip to Anfield.

"We don’t know [if Partey will be back to face Liverpool in January]," Mikel Arteta said, per FL. "He’s getting a very good evolution in the injury, but it’s a bit early for the time frame."

Liverpool could well come up against a depleted Arsenal, then - particularly in midfield. While there aren't any key players at risk for the Gunners, Arteta will have some work to do to manage his squad.