Martin Odegaard is also extremely unlikely to feature as he has still not returned to training because of an ankle injury. A decision on both Saka and Timber is yet to be made, while initial reports suggest Riccardo Calafiori will miss the next few weeks with a knee issue suffered in the Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Saka and Timber could yet be passed fit for the visit of Liverpool, but there is also a scenario where both remain out. As such, Arteta will undoubtedly have been preparing numerous game plans which take into account potential absences and the impact it may have on the starting XI.
For example, Timber and Calafiori both missing out may require Thomas Partey to start at right-back as opposed to the centre of midfield. Just Saka being out could insight a major reshuffle in attack, with Gabriel Martinelli trialled on the right, after Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus both struggled to impress.
Regardless of who returns, one thing for certain is that Leandro Trossard is in desperate need of a strong performance. Since his sending off at Manchester City, the Belgium international has failed to make a big impact with his recent struggles highlighted by a penalty miss earlier this week.
His versatility means he is extremely valuable to Arteta but when deployed out on the left and through the middle of a front three, his qualities have not been on show. As the furthest forward of a midfield trio however - especially in the absence of Odegaard - Trossard has shown his quality in gaps left by opposition teams.
If Arteta is to continue getting the best out of him, it will be crucial he remains in that role but just a slight tweak could actually see him fully unleashed. As mentioned above, injury absences could see Partey move to right-back and his most likely replacement would be Jorginho.
One alternative however, is Mikel Merino, with the Spain international forming a midfield pivot alongside Declan Rice. That way, Trossard is almost entirely freed up from defensive duties and he can be Arteta's creative spark that has been missing.
It is also worth noting his record against Liverpool is very impressive with his goal in last season's 3-1 victory over the Reds, his sixth from 10 appearances. While at Brighton, he scored a hat-trick at Anfield in a 3-3 draw and managed three goal contributions prior to that across the last few campaigns.
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