Walcott to retain place

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is again set to give his fringe and young players a chance in tomorrow night’s Carling Cup quarter-final at Liverpool.

However, England Under-21 winger Theo Walcott is one first-teamer expected to start, while Jeremie Aliadiere could lead the line as Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor (calf) is to be rested along with full-back Emmanuel Eboue (dead leg).

Experienced defender Lauren may feature as he continues recovery from knee surgery, but William Gallas (thigh) and Tomas Rosicky (groin/hamstring) are unlikely to make the trip to Merseyside.

Captain Thierry Henry (sciatic nerve) and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) will both miss the whole of the festive schedule.

Provisional Squad: Almunia, Poom, Hoyte, Lauren, Senderos, Djourou, Flamini, Walcott, Song, Denilson, Randall, Traore, Aliadiere, Connolly, Garry, Perez.