Arsenal’s trip to Anfield on Sunday comes at a difficult time.

Bukayo Saka is out for at least six weeks, Christos Tzolis is still sidelined, and Mikel Arteta revealed after Tuesday’s shock Carabao Cup exit at Fleetwood Town that Noni Madueke has an ankle problem, putting him in doubt for Sunday.

Arsenal appeal Max Dowman’s red card

According to Simon Collings of The Sun, Arsenal are appealing the red card. The club must submit their appeal documents by 1pm on Thursday, and they’re hopeful of a decision before Sunday’s game, although the timing of the process is down to the FA.

People appear to be split on whether sending Dowman off was the correct decision, but former Arsenal man Paul Merson said on Sky Sports that he felt the red card should have been a yellow, and many Arsenal fans agreed.

What particularly raised eyebrows was Arteta’s reaction on the night. The Arsenal boss was seen giving Dowman a stern word as he left the pitch, and when asked what he said, he told BBC Radio 5 Live it was “something that we discussed already before the match.” With Madueke a doubt and Saka out, Dowman’s absence would leave a gaping hole, so Arteta’s anger made sense.

Dowman had been one of Arsenal’s brightest players at Fleetwood before the red card, causing problems down the right all night. If the appeal is successful, he could have a big part to play at Anfield, whether from the start or off the bench. He came off the bench during the 1-0 defeat there last season when he was just 15.