Arsenal to take on Liverpool

Arsenal travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final this evening, with the winner of the tie going on to play Chelsea in the final of the competition.

You can find out more about the game here:

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Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to bounce back from a shock FA Cup 3rd round defeat to Nottingham Forest, but face a Liverpool side in imperious form, albeit without AFCON stars Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.

And now, Arsenal’s uphill task has just got harder.

Arsenal dealt triple team news blow

Now, as per the generally reliable Charles Watts of Goal.com, Arsenal have been dealt a hammer blow in their preparations for the tie.

Both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe missed the FA Cup tie with niggles, and have reportedly not recovered from them in time to make the squad for this evening.

Worse yet, Martin Odegaard is also out now, with an unspecified issue, which surely leaves him a massive doubt for the massive clash in the North London derby on Sunday.

This leaves Arsenal without a recognised creative midfielder in their ranks, meaning that Arteta may be forced to hand Charlie Patino another start, this time in a midfield 3.

Alternatively, he could deploy Alexandre Lacazette behind Eddie Nketiah, although neither option will fill Arsenal fans with hope.

In better news, the same report suggests that Granit Xhaka has recovered after testing positive for COVID-19, and should be fit to start in central midfield for the Gunners. Provided he doesn’t lose his head, the side may desperately need his experience.

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