Carl Jenkinson in line for first Arsenal start in two years due to injury crisis that includes Hector Bellerin

ARSENAL are sweating on the fitness of Hector Bellerin ahead of Saturday’s top of the table clash with Liverpool and could turn to Carl Jenkinson this week.

The Spanish full-back has already been ruled out of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Blackpool and is rated as doubtful to play at the weekend.

Bellerin is being assessed by the medical team after suffering a thigh strain during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.

His absence left manager Unai Emery missing six key defenders during the second-half at Selhurst Park as he also struggled to cope without Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Koscielny has only just returned to training after a ruptured Achilles in May while Maitland-Niles has been out since suffering a leg fracture in the opening game of the season against Manchester City.

Monreal and Kolasinac have both missed Arsenal’s last three games with hamstring strains and Mavraponos has been out for more than a month with a groin injury.

The injury crisis could force Emery to hand Jenkinson a first Arsenal appearance in two years against Blackpool and 17-year-old Zech Medley is also in contention.

Arsenal's draw with Crystal Palace saw their 11 match winning streak come to an end.

The Gunners remain in fourth place after the result - but bitter north London rivals Spurs could overtake them with a result against Man City tonight.