Calafiori and Mosquera ruled out for Arsenal’s match vs Liverpool

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera will miss Thursday’s pivotal Premier League meeting with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta reveals Arsenal will be without defensive duo vs Reds

The announcement comes as the league-leading Gunners aim to extend their five-point advantage at the summit. A victory would push them eight points clear of their visitors.

Both Calafiori and Mosquera are recovering from recent injuries, and Arteta explicitly stated “they are out again” for the upcoming fixture.

However, he offered a positive update on their progress, indicating a return is nearing. “I think [they’ll return] pretty soon,” Arteta told the Arsenal offical website.

“They have to go to the last stage of the rehab. If everything goes well, hopefully very soon they will be available for selection.”

Calafiori’s absence presents a notable challenge. The £42 million summer signing had cemented himself as the first-choice left-back before his injury.

While deputy Piero Hincapie has provided defensive solidity, the team has missed Calafiori’s attacking impetus from the flank.

Mosquera’s unavailability is more manageable with first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes fully fit.

The Spanish defender, a £13 million acquisition, had performed well after replacing an injured Saliba early in the reverse fixture at Anfield.

The only other confirmed absentee is 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman, who continues his recovery from an ankle injury until February.

In more encouraging news, Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz is available for selection. The German missed the previous match against Bournemouth as a precaution but could now feature for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in August.

His return offers Arteta a welcome boost in forward options for the high-stakes encounter.