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Arsenal team news: Injury boost as two defenders train ahead of Liverpool clash
ARSENAL have received a welcome injury boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool this afternoon (5.30pm).
Arsenal manager Unai Emery will have been pleased to see two injured defenders train ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Liverpool.
Both Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac took part in the latest session at London Colney on Friday evening as they aim to be fit in time to face the Reds.
Emery is in the midst of an injury crisis at the Emirates with the Spaniard yesterday revealing that four of his first-team stars were doubtful this weekend.
With Nacho Monreal and Sokratis Papastathopoulos also carrying injuries and waiting on further assesments, Emery was expected to name a makeshift back four against Liverpool.
However, the presence of Bellerin in training will have eased some of the worries while Kolasinac will hope to start at left-back, if passed fit.
Stephan Lichtsteiner is expected to cover for Bellerin if the right-back is unavailable, having picked up a thigh problem during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
However, the opposite flank is more problematic with Granit Xhaka filling in against Palace while Carl Jenkinson played there against Blackpool in midweek.
Versatile youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also another option although Emery will surely be keen to have a natural left-back providing a better balance to his side.
With Sokratis a doubt and Laurent Koscielny still recovering from a long-term injury, Rob Holding is the leading candidate to partner Shkodran Mustafi at centre-back.
Further forward, Lucas Torreira is expected to start in midfield and was all smiles during the session on Friday.
Meanwhile, Emery was his usual animated self and was photographed getting to grips with Mustafi and taking part in several drills.
Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were also put through their paces and should all start against Liverpool.