Mikel Arteta drops Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka injury update after Arsenal win over Shakhtar

Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners over Shakhtar Donetsk in a fairly uninspiring Champions League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Gunners weren’t at their best but still managed to take all three points thanks to a 29th-minute own goal from Dmytro Riznyk.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli cut inside in the box and tried his luck with an effort that cannoned off the post and went in off the Shakhtar goalkeeper.

Mikel Arteta’s charges didn’t manage to build on their goal, however, missing several chances including a 77th-minute penalty from Leandro Trossard.

David Raya also had to be alert to keep out a number of dangerous attempts late on, including a strong Pedrinho effort.

In addition, Arsenal are now also sweating over the fitness of Riccardo Calafiori, who may have suffered a knee injury.

The Italian defender went down in the 66th minute, which prompted the club doctors to examine him.

And though Calafiori briefly returned to the fold, he then gestured at Mikel Arteta to take him off, with Myles Lewis-Skelly taking his place.

Arteta, speaking after the game, shared what he knows about the summer signing’s fitness.

He then delivered a worrying update on Bukayo Saka, who has been absent since the international break.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta worried over Riccardo Calafiori as Bukayo Saka ‘unlikely’ to play v Liverpool

Arteta said at his post-match presser, via Fabrizio Romano’s X, that Calafiori’s enforced substitution is “a bit of a worry”, before saying “we’ll see”.

The Arsenal boss then admitted that Saka is “unlikely” to feature against Liverpool, as he is yet to train since getting injured on England duty earlier this month.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton slates Arsenal player’s ‘lack of conviction’ in Shakhtar Donetsk clash

Arsenal have mounting personnel problems ahead of Liverpool clash

Arsenal face going into Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool without numerous key players.

The Gunners are already without Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney through injury, while Jurrien Timber is also a doubt.

William Saliba is suspended for the clash against the Reds after his sending off against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Now, Arteta has admitted that Saka is now unlikely to feature against Liverpool, while news on Calafiori’s fitness will have to wait.

Arsenal may be hanging in there – for the most part – in terms of results, but their personnel situation is becoming concerning.