Arteta could now unleash 'incredibly good' £2m talent v Liverpool, he's wowed Arsenal coaches

Arsenal have a huge Premier League game ahead of them tonight as they welcome Liverpool to the Emirates.

The Gunners’ early-season woes are well and truly behind them, with top four a realistic possibility now.

Now, Arsenal have a chance to show how far they’ve come when they face the title-challenging Anfield outfit.

Mikel Arteta’s charges have won five consecutive top-flight games, while Liverpool are on an eight-game winning run in the competition.

However, Arsenal may have to take to the pitch against Jurgen Klopp’s side without one of their key players.

According to football.london, Gabriel Magalhaes wasn’t seen in training on Tuesday.

Arsenal are yet to officially confirm the Brazilian’s absence.

However, football.london claims “it is understood his girlfriend is nine months pregnant and therefore this could have some part to play”.

If Gabriel is indeed missing, Arteta could potentially make a like-for-like swap in central defence, with Rob Holding stepping in.

The 26-year-old hasn’t featured often this season, but he’s been reliable when the Arsenal boss has called him up.

“He’s a really good influence”

Holding has already helped shut Liverpool out this season, in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

After Granit Xhaka got a red card, Arteta brought on the £2million man. He helped Arsenal stay in the tie with a number of important clearances.

Holding also came on to shore up the defence against Wolves at Molineux after Gabriel Martinelli got his marching orders.

Arteta said in his press conference after that game, as per Arsenal.com: “Today, he (Holding) deserves a lot of credit.

“He was on the bench, he was ready to help.

“His attitude, his commitment to the team whether he plays every week or plays one minute, it’s incredibly good.

“He’s a really good influence for the rest. Today, he really helped the team, the way he defended the box made a huge difference.

“Thanks to him we won the game.”

The Athletic wrote in November that Arsenal coaches have been impressed with the defender’s intensity in training.

This speaks volumes about Holding’s superb attitude, something Arteta is fussy about when it comes to his players.

Now, he could get another chance to help his side maintain their charge for the top four.