Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.
The Gunners were held to their second successive draw in the Premier League at home to Everton over the weekend and will be eager to return to winning ways against Palace.
Declan Rice was substituted against the Toffees on Saturday with a minor muscle injury, but he has not been ruled out of the game against Palace.
Arteta told reporters (via football.london): “He’s fine. We will make the decision on whether he’s available or not.”
Arteta added that Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori remain on the sidelines with respective injuries and won’t be in the squad to face Palace tomorrow.
Arsenal have had a mixed start to the Premier League season. They are six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand against Everton.
The club’s title prospects are quite slim at the moment. The Gunners may need to prioritise the cup competitions and the Champions League in the quest for trophies.
The Carabao Cup appears the best route to one, considering Arsenal are three games away from potential silverware if they beat Palace at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The Eagles were previously a bogey club for Arsenal, but they have lost their last four meetings.
Despite this, the game may not be straightforward. Palace are unbeaten in the last five games and Arsenal need to be at their best to make the final four.
Arteta has made several changes in the last two rounds of the Carabao Cup, but there could be a stronger line-up tomorrow. Rice may start if he passes a late fitness test.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
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