Arsenal await fitness updates on Rice, Calafiori and Madueke

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke had fitness problems around the Carabao Cup match against Fleetwood Town, leaving their availability for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool uncertain. Rice was left out of Arsenal’s squad for the Fleetwood match after taking part in training on Monday. Arteta said the midfielder had felt a problem during the previous match against Everton, prompting his substitution. The reports do not confirm whether Rice will be fit to face Liverpool at Anfield. Madueke also missed the Fleetwood game. Arteta said the winger had an ankle problem. Calafiori was unavailable as well, with Arteta describing a slight issue that seemed very small, while saying the club did not yet know what it was and that he had been cautious. Arsenal are expected to receive another update on the three players at Arteta’s pre-match press conference. The club’s cup exit against Fleetwood came after a penalty shootout, but the result did not settle the players’ status for the league fixture. Arteta also gave updates on Bukayo Saka and William Saliba. Saka has a quad issue, and Arteta said fluid around the injury made it...