Roy Keane sends typically blunt message to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta injury woes mount up

Roy Keane has issued a warning to Arsenal ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool.

The Gunners host the Reds at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they look to bounce back from last week's defeat to Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta's team go into the fixture in fourth spot in the Premier League table and are six points adrift of leaders Manchester City after their win over Southampton earlier in the weekend.

Arsenal are also four points behind Liverpool and could be seven at full-time if they are on the receiving end of another disappointing defeat. The build-up to the game has seen attention centred around the players that may - or may not - be available for Arsenal to face Liverpool.

William Saliba is unavailable due to suspension - while Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney remain side-lined through injury. There are also uncertainties around the fitness of England's Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori, who have all had injury doubts in the days leading up to facing the Merseyside club.

Keane has sent a message to Arsenal for the showdown against Liverpool, instructing them to prove themselves capable of winning the Premier League title by dealing with key players being on the side-lines.

"I think Arsenal have to turn up and put on a performance," Keane told Sky Sports.

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"The chat that if they lose the game and are seven behind Liverpool, six off [Manchester] City, I would change the mindset and go; 'Listen, if you can win you close the gap'.

"They're a big club, there's chat about injuries. Arsenal have done brilliant over these years, [had a] set-back a few weeks ago, turn up, no excuses, try not to get anybody sent-off and put in a performance that they've been doing for the last few years - that's competing with teams at the top.

"Arsenal should be positive and excited to welcome Liverpool to town."