Arsenal news: Jack Wilshere gives blessing to replacement as Riccardo Calafiori given injury blow
Arsenal face Liverpool on Sunday in what is the biggest match of their season so far in their bid to become one of the main title contenders this season and Mikel Arteta's men will need a big improvement to get a result
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorArsenal bounced back from their disappointing 2-0 loss to Bournemouth on the weekend by scraping past Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League - and it was far from a comfortable win.
The Gunners missed a host of chances and even fluffed a late penalty in their 1-0 win at the Emirates before receiving a new injury blow.
Arsenal face Liverpool on Sunday in what is the biggest match of their season so far in their bid to become one of the main title contenders this season and Mikel Arteta will need to see a major improvement if his side are to get a result.
Ahead of the crucial game, Mirror Football has taken a look at the biggest headlines and developments circulating around the Emirates.
Arteta gives bleak injury verdict on Calafiori
Another huge blow for Arteta was losing Riccardo Calafiori during the win over the Ukrainian side, with the £42million Italian defender limping off with what seemed to be a knee problem.
Arsenal now face a defensive headache for the game, with William Saliba suspended and Jurrien Timber a doubt, and Arteta admitted he was "worried" about the former Bologna man.
"He felt something," the Spaniard said after the game. "He could not continue playing. So, [it is a] bit of a worry."
It's not just defenders who are of injury concern, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard also set to miss the Liverpool clash.
Wilshere gives blessing to Arsenal coaching replacement
Arsenal fans will be gutted to lose one of their own after Jack Wilshere left the club again to become Norwich City first team coach - but based on his reaction to his successor they should be optimistic.
Wilshere was in his post as Under-18s head coach for two years and impressed but his decision to leave for the Canaries suggests he is stepping up his desire to become a manager.
The ex-Gunners midfielder is now passing on the torch to Adam Birchall - who was his assistant at Arsenal - and wished him luck with his new job.
Wilshere wrote on Twitter: "My Brother @adam_birchall10. The players and staff are lucky to have you lead them! Good luck mate. Until we meet again."
Gallas predicts Arsenal will miss out on title again
With Arsenal facing a date with destiny against Liverpool on Sunday, former Gunners captain William Gallas has given his verdict on the club's hopes in the title race.
The Frenchman played 142 times for Arsenal between 2006 and 2010, failing to win a trophy, and he fears ex-team-mate Arteta won't manage to bring the title to the Emirates this season either.
Gallas explained that Arsenal's problem is dropping points against "small teams" after they were beaten by Bournemouth last time out and feels results like that will be costly this season.
"Listen, the problem with Arsenal is always the same and it looks like it won't change," he said. "If they play against big teams, every player will be 100 per cent. But if they play against small teams, some players are not 100 per cent. It’s difficult for me to understand this, but it's true.
"If you want to win the title, you’ve got to beat the small teams in the league home and away. If you draw, it’s the same feeling as a loss because you know how good Manchester City are. Arsenal need to understand that they can’t drop points like this if they want to be champions this season."
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
£46 (was £56)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.