After a goalless draw was played out in the first leg last week, the tie is nicely poised with both teams aiming for a spot in the title-decider against Chelsea.
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Arsenal host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final 2nd leg fixture at Emirates Stadium on Thursday. After a goalless draw was played out in the first leg last week, the tie is nicely poised with both teams aiming for a spot in the title-decider against Chelsea. In the first leg encounter at Anfield, Arsenal showed great resilience to play out a goalless draw despite playing the majority of the game with 10-man as Granit Xhaka was sent off for a moment of madness midway through the first half.
One. More. Day. #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/zjvPCkLcX7
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 19, 2022
Therefore the second leg is on a knife’s edge with all to play for in front of home supporters. Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has issues to address as a number of players are missing due to COVID-19, injuries, suspension and Africa Cup of Nations. Sunday’s North London derby was postponed at the Gunners’ request.
It remains to be seen whether the tie will happen, as of now, the Gunners are preparing with the available players. Arteta’s side will need to be at their best to stop the Reds who returned to winning ways, thrashing Brentford 3-0 on Sunday, despite the absence of star strikers Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who are away attending AFCON 2022.
Liverpool boss Jurgenn Klopp would be confident of getting the better of a depleted Arsenal side with the available options. Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino netted against the Bees to take all three points and leapfrog Chelsea into second place in the Premier League points table. The Reds are now 11 points behind leaders Manchester City, with a game in hand.
Arteta has several selection problems with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers doubtful because of injuries and fatigue. Xhaka will serve a one-match suspension while Martin Odegaard is ruled out with COVID-19.
Therefore central defender Ben White might be pushed into the midfield to partner Albert Sambi Lokonga and Rob Holding could come in at the central defense alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Alexandre Lacazette will lead the attack along with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli in support.
On the other hand, Klopp might give a start to Minamino in the attack as Oxlade-chamberlain suffered an injury against the Bees and is being assessed. Meanwhile Firmino and Diogo Jota are sure to start up front.
All four first choice defenders, Virgil van Dijk, Matip, Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are available and it remains to be seen whether Klopp decides to freshen things up at the back. James Milner, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are unlikely to be changed in the midfield.
