Arsenal 'hopeful of double injury boost ahead of FA Cup tie with Liverpool'
The Gunners enter the third round of the competition aiming to win a record-extending 15th crown in the FA Cup, having clinched their most recent slice of glory in the COVID-affected 2019-20 tournament.
Since defeating Chelsea behind closed doors at Wembley, though, Mikel Arteta's men have failed to advance past the fourth round, losing at that stage to Southampton in 2020-21 and Manchester City in 2022-23.
The Gunners' run in the 2021-22 competition also ended in the third round with a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, and they have been handed a daunting opening clash with Jurgen Klopp's side, who head to the Emirates next month on the back of Saturday's thrilling 1-1 Premier League draw at Anfield.
Arsenal were without all of Fabio Vieira, Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the showdown with the Reds on December 23, although Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho were back on the bench after their hamstring and foot concerns.
Now, the Evening Standard reports that Arteta is optimistic of having both Partey and Tomiyasu at his disposal for the third-round tie as the pair step up their respective recoveries.
Tomiyasu — whose absence was sorely felt at Anfield — put together a string of brilliant performances in the Gunners defence before sustaining a calf injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 2.
Arteta admitted that the Japan international would be out for «weeks» after obtaining results from his scans, but the report adds that an earlier return is not beyond the realm of possibility either.
In addition, thigh victim Partey could also make his
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