Arsenal has been handed another major headache to deal with in the Premier League title race as it tries to close the gap on Liverpool.

The Reds are six points ahead of the Gunners heading into the latest round of fixtures, with Arne Slot’s side also still holding a game in hand on their rivals. They’ll be hoping for a favor from Wolves this afternoon as they look to extend their lead against Ipswich.

Mikel Arteta has been boosted by the return of William Saliba at Molineux after the defender missed the last two games against Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa. There is one notable absentee for Arsenal today though.

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Martin Odegaard is not named in the matchday squad, with the Gunners’ captain left out through illness. Mikel Merino is also missing, with Arteta having confirmed a knock for the midfielder.

Their absences come at a bad time for Arsenal, who already has Bukayo Saka out for a long period after undergoing surgery on his hamstring. Ethan Nwaneri is back in the starting line-up though after his own recent injury.

Odegaard’s illness likely won’t keep him out for long, although his absence may be felt today. The Norway international missed seven league games earlier in the campaign with an ankle injury, during which time Arsenal won just three times and lost twice.

The Gunners can ill-afford to lose any more ground on Liverpool, with the Reds already heavy favorites to win the Premier League title. Arteta though is still expecting Slot’s side to slip up at some point this season.

”The margins are really, really small," Arteta said ahead of the weekend. "You can see how things could’ve gone last weekend - the turning points are minimal and the gap certainly looks very different. We have to be at it, we have to do what is in our hands and there’s still a long, long way to go.”

Arteta was asked if Liverpool will have a "difficult spell" and replied: “They normally do, so we have to be there. That’s for sure.”