Arsenal’s midfield selection crisis as tables turn for cup tie vs Liverpool

The first leg of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool was postponed due to the Reds suffering a Covid-19 outbreak, but now the Gunners are struggling for players

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Arsenal could be left with just two central midfielders available for their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

The Gunners have lost Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny due to their international commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Emile Smith Rowe and Granit Xhaka both missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

Currently, Martin Odegaard and Albert Sambi Lokonga would be the only senior middle men available, as 18-year-old starlet Charlie Patino filled in alongside the duo last time out.

The first leg was initially set to be played last week but a Covid-19 outbreak in Jurgen Klopp ‘s camp saw the fixture postponed.

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Smith Rowe missed Arsenal’s third-round tie due to a groin injury, while Xhaka has been isolating after returning a positive coronavirus test.

The pair could be back involved but their absences from training will already be an issue.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping his nightmare situation is at least resolved by Thursday evening, having started 2022 with back-to-back losses, including being dumped out of the FA Cup.

Arteta’s woes have prompted plenty of supporters to plead for midfield reinforcements in the January transfer window but the Gunners manager appears to be ahead of them.

“With the amount of things and the way we want to evolve the squad, we have to maximize every window in many different ways,” Arteta said ahead of the trip to Nottingham.

“We are alert. [Technical director] Edu and his team are working very hard because we know exactly what we need to do. Whether we can accomplish that in January or in the summer is a different question related to other stuff but we are there.

“If it is the right player and we can afford it and we can do what we want to do, we will discuss it and make the best possible decision. We are open.”

The Spaniard was less positive when talking about his side’s performance on Saturday, failing to register a shot on target against their Championship hosts.

“I’m really disappointed with the performance,” Arteta stated.

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“Not with the attitude, but how much purpose we had and what determination we showed to change the game when it’s difficult to play against [them] and the way they play.

“[We needed] more drive, more hunger to win at any cost in every single action. We were not there at our level today.”

He added when once again pressed on transfers: “I want to try to get the best out of the players we have.

“It’s clear where we need to strengthen but at the moment it’s what we have and what we have has to play.”