Where will Arteta be asking Declan Rice to play against Liverpool?
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has refused to rule out Declan Rice for Wednesday night's EFL Cup quarter-final at home to Crystal Palace but Oleksandr Zinchenko remains sidelined with a muscle issue.
England star Rice asked to be substituted in Saturday's disappointing scoreless draw against Everton at the Emirates having spent the previous week managing a knock, while Ukraine star Zinchenko has missed the past three games.
And Arteta, who faces a number of other injury concerns, said of Rice: "He's fine, we'll make the decision whether he is available or not. Oleksandr will still be out of the squad tomorrow."
Riccardo Calafiori could also miss out again, while full backs Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain sidelined with knee injuries.
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"We'll decide in the morning in relation to how the squad is," Arteta said. "It's a very important match. We'll decide what is the best team to win it."
Arsenal come into the game facing questions over their ability to create enough chances from open play with criticism, including from club legend Thierry Henry, that they are too reliant on set pieces.
Asked if he is tempted to make some signings in January to fix that issue, Arteta said: "I fully trust the squad and our players."
Palace, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of a dramatic improvement in results having beaten rivals Brighton away on Sunday.
Declan Rice picked up an injury in the draw with Everton.
Declan Rice picked up an injury in the draw with Everton.
"Very tough, always," Arteta said of the challenge posed by Oliver Glasner's side, whom they also face in the league on Saturday. "They have quality individuals and how they are coached.
"There is another level of difficulty to play a team twice in four days. We need to prepare for that."
Arteta celebrates five years in charge of the Gunners later this week and said of his ambition to bring more silverware to the club: "We need more, we want more and we want the big ones for sure."
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