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Arsenal and Liverpool will lock horns in the second leg of their EFL Cup semifinal at the Emirates on Friday, with the tie evenly poised after a goalless draw at Anfield.
The Gunners were reduced to 10 men in the first half at Anfield last week, but held on valiantly for a draw, arguably putting them in the driver’s seat ahead of Friday’s clash.
Arsenal have a dismal recent record against Liverpool, winning just one of their last 17 games in all competitions. But they will take heart from the fact that they’ve never lost to the Reds in the EFL Cup.
The winner of this clash will meet Chelsea in the final after the Blues comfortably saw off Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s squad has been ravaged by injuries, COVID-19 and international absences. Granit Xhaka is suspended after his red card in the first leg, while Nicolas Pepe, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are unavailable due to AFCON.
Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka are both minor injury doubts, while Cedric Soares faces a race against time to be fit. Takehiro Tomiyasu remains sidelined due to injury.
Martin Odegaard has recovered from COVID-19 and given Arsenal’s lack of options, he might be thrown into the mix.
Liverpool
Liverpool are likely to be without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who picked up an injury against Brentford at the weekend. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are away on international duty, while Thiago Alcantara, Harvey Elliott and Nat Phillips remain sidelined due to injuries.
Ibrahima Konate could start in place of Joel Matip at the back, while Curtis Jones could partner Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in midfield.
Arsenal predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Aaron Ramsdale; Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney; Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard; Alexandre Lacazette
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Curtis Jones; Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota
Arsenal – Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian has been one of Arsenal’s best players in recent weeks, firmly establishing himself in the starting lineup under Arteta. The Gunners are likely to sit back and counter-attack for the most part against a formidable Liverpool side, and Martinelli’s pace and movement will be key to their fortunes going forward.
Liverpool – Diogo Jota
With Salah and Mane absent, the goalscoring burden will fall on Jota’s shoulders. The Portuguese has netted 12 times in all competitions this season.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool
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