Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool injuries compared after latest blows with 19 out or doubts this weekend

The Premier League title race will be the main focus of Saturday’s top-flight action, with Arsenal kicking off the latest round of games with a trip to Newcastle United at 12.30pm. The Gunners last visit to the north east was a controversial one, as Eddie Howe’s side won 1-0 thanks to Anthony Gordon’s goal after 64 minutes.

The winning strike was subject to a lengthy VAR check, with a possible ball out of play, potential offside and alleged foul all considered before the goal was awarded. It led to an infamous rant from Mikel Arteta after calling the decision a disgrace when interviewed afterwards by Sky Sports. The Spaniard will hope for a better outcome for his side on Saturday, against a Newcastle side who have been inconsistent this campaign.

Arsenal will then watch on as Manchester City travel to Bournemouth and Liverpool host Brighton and Hove Albion - with both of those games to kick off at 3pm. All three sides currently considered as leading Premier League title contenders have been hit by injuries over recent weeks and below we have looked at the issues facing the current top three.

Arsenal

Defender Gabriel was the latest concern for Arsenal as he limped out of last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool while Ben White is also a minor doubt against Newcastle due to a fresh issue. William Saliba is back after missing the Liverpool clash through suspension. On Gabriel, Arteta said: “We have a training session today. If he can complete that, he’ll be available. He hasn’t had any training sessions yet, but if he’s able to do that today, he’ll be available to be in the squad.”

Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are all on the sidelines - with the former two not set to feature against the Magpies.

Arsenal outs: Calafiori, Odegaard, Tomiyasu and Tierney. Arsenal doubts: Gabriel and White.

Liverpool

The Reds are missing some key players after a handful of injury blows within the last month. Number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker was injured against Crystal Palace before the last international break and is not expected back until after the November internationals. Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota are also out with injury with the pair also ruled out until after the next set of international games.

Summer signing Federico Chiesa has no timescale on his return from injury after a frustrating start to life on Merseyside following his move from Juventus. Speaking earlier this week, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: "That's always difficult to say because he goes a bit up and down: sometimes he's there with us, training for a few days, and then he goes out with injury again. So, I don't want to put days or weeks on it because I think we just have to make sure he gets in the best possible shape and don't put any pressure on him by coming up with dates."

Liverpool outs: Alisson, Jota, Elliott, Chiesa.

Man City

The reigning champions are currently without a host of stars due to injury with manager Pep Guardiola stating in midweek that he only had "13 players” leaving City in “real difficulties”. The claim came after his side lost 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup. Manuel Akanji was injured in the warm-up before Ruben Dias was replaced at half time with forward Savinho then stretchered off in the 63rd minute.

City are missing Rodri for the remainder of the season after the Balon D’or winner suffered an ACL injury in September. Oscar Bobb is out long-term with a leg fracture while influential midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is out with a thigh problem. Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish have all missed recent games due to injury and are not expected back until the other side of the international break.

Man City outs: Walker, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bobb, Savinho, Doku, Grealish. Man City doubts; Dias, Akanji.