Wenger Reveals Major Blow as Influential Midfielder Misses Massive Liverpool Game

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal will be without Mathieu Flamini and Serge Ganbry for the visit of Liverpool this weekend.

Arsenal will be hoping they can stop a run of two consecutive defeats at the Emirates when they welcome a Liverpool side who will be looking to make a major statement by securing a positive result against the table topping Gunners.

The north London club can call upon the services of Mikel Arteta, who returns after serving a one game suspension for his red card against Crystal Palace, but Wenger will be without influential midfielder Flamini and in-form winger Gnabry.

"Arteta is back from suspension, Gnabry is still out and Flamini could be available for the Manchester United game," Wenger confirmed at his weekly press conference.

Flamini has excelled since returning to the club in the summer and has been one of the standout performers in Arsenal's excellent start to the campaign.

The France international has provided a stable base from which the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Jack WIlshere and Mesut Ozil have flourished, and Wenger will be desperate to use him during this difficult run of games.

Arsenal have a difficult few weeks ahead as they face Liverpool on Saturday, before away games against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United. This is followed by a tricky home game against in-form Southampton.

The run of fixtures will provide a stern test for Arsenal's title credentials but Wenger is confident that the club can come through it with their heads held high.

"I have complete confidence that we will deal well with this period, the players will be up for it," stated Wenger.

The first test comes on Saturday afternoon as Arsenal face a Liverpool side who boast arguably the best strike force in the country. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have scored 10 goals in the four games they have played together this season, including all four against West Brom last weekend.

While Wenger admits the two are among the most dangerous in the Premier League, he has his own in-form forward in Olivier Giroud.

"Suarez and Sturridge are among the top strikers in the league," admitted Wenger. "But Giroud has also been exceptional since the start of the season."

Wenger will hope that his defence can keep the Liverpool duo quiet and believes a good start will be key to getting home supporters to create a positive atmosphere after two consecutive home defeats.

The long-serving Gunners boss added: "We had a difficult period at the Emirates last season, it's up to us to get the crowd on our side."