Mikel Arteta admitted this week that it would be “close” as to whether Saka would recover from his muscle injury in time, having picked up the issue during England duty this month. Timber has meanwhile not played since October 1.
And to add to the suspension of William Saliba, who was sent off against Bournemouth last Saturday, fellow defender Calafiori went down with a knee issue in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. Like Saka and Timber, he was not seen in training on Friday.
Ben White has recovered from his setback and started the last two matches but Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a doubt while Kieran Tierney is not yet back from his long-term hamstring injury. It leaves White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior as the only defenders guaranteed to be available for Arteta.
Saliba and Gabriel have partnered each other in every Premier League game this season. Kiwior - who was double substituted against Bournemouth - is a natural centre-back while White can also play centrally, albeit has not done so for more than a year.
Arsenal have scored just once in the two matches Saka has been absent for, which came via an own goal against Shakhtar. The winger has recorded seven assists and three goals in 10 matches this season.
Odegaard is ramping up his recovery from a ligament injury but never looked likely to face Liverpool at the Emirates. The nature of the latest setback to Timber - who missed almost the entirely of last season with a cruciate ligament tear - is unknown.
As for Liverpool, Diogo Jota looks set to miss the clash with Arne Slot confirming he would not train on Friday. The attacker was forced off with a knock to the torso in last Sunday's win over Chelsea.
Federico Chiesa might train but remains a doubt, as does Conor Bradley. Slot says Alisson is progressing well in his recovery from his hamstring injury but will not be available for some time yet. Harvey Elliott has yet to return from his foot fracture.
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