Arsenal Team News: Wenger Gives Latest On Walcott, Flamini, Podolski & More

Premier League leaders Arsenal welcome third-placed Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening in what may prove to be a vital top-of-the-table clash.

Ahead of the game Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been in front of the media for his pre-match press conference and he gave Arsenal.com a team news and injury update with the latest on Mikel Arteta, Theo Walcott, Serge Gnabry, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby and Mathieu Flamini.

The good news is that Arteta returns from suspension after serving a one-match ban against Chelsea in midweek following his sending off against Crystal Palace last weekend.

However, none of Arsenal’s other injured players will make comeback’s on Saturday meaning Walcott, Gnabry, Podolski, Chamberlain and Diaby all remain sidelined.

Flamini was forced off in the early stages of last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Palace with a groin problem and Wenger has confirmed the midfielder will miss the Liverpool clash as well as Wednesday’s trip to Borussia Dortmund but may return against Man Utd next Sunday.

Winger Walcott will definitely not play against Brendan Rodger’s Liverpool tomorrow either but he also has a chance of facing the champions if he proves his fitness following abdominal surgery.

Quite a few people asking about Walcott. Wenger said: "The earliest he will be available is #mufc but I think he will be a bit short."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) November 1, 2013

Here’s what Wenger told Arsenal.com:

on the team news…

Basically we have just Arteta back because he was suspended. Gnabry, who was not available for Tuesday, will not be available again, and all the other long-term injuries are not back – Walcott, Chamberlain, Podolski, Diaby.

on Flamini…

He is a short-term injury, he could available for Manchester United. He is out for Liverpool and Dortmund.

Arsenal fans – what would be your preferred line-up to face Liverpool? Share your suggestions below.