Carling Cup specialists Carlos Vela and Jack Wilshere miss out while Samir Nasri and Lukasz Fabianksi make their first appearances of the season in what could be a reasonably experienced team.
Wenger has announced a squad that includes Silvestre, Senderos and Gibbs in defence, Ramsey and Nasri in midfield and Eduardo and Bendtner up front. The rest of the squad have been largely restricted to Carling Cup first team appearances in the past but Wenger’s strong squad suggests he is anxious not to exit an important competition too early in what is the biggest game of the fourth round.
Liverpool’s supposedly weak squad has come under fierce criticism already this season but the morale boosting victory over Man Utd on Sunday will see Benitez’s men arrive in confident mood. We have not lost at home to Liverpool since 2000 although a number of matches have been drawn and they will see this game as an ideal opportunity to end that run. The Spaniard said:
"We have to change the statistic and we will be really pleased if we win there for the first time."
In the last round Liverpool progressed with an unconvincing 1-0 win at Elland Road despite first team regulars, David Ngog, Glen Johnson, Albert Rieira and Martin Skrtel all featuring. You would fancy our youngsters to beat any side at the Grove and our free flowing football has a good chance of overwhelming the more functional approach of Benitez’s Liverpool, as it did in the FA Youth Cup final last season.
One player who will be particularly eager to play a decisive role will be young Spaniard, Fran Merida. Wenger has spoken of how close he came to letting the midfielder join Spanish second division side, Levante, on loan for the season. The manager said:
"I nearly gave him out on loan in the pre-season but I made the decision to keep him because I feel he is a classy player.
"On the day I had to make the decision and I decided to keep him. He was going for the year to Levante. It would have been good for him but I felt that he has too much quality to go out.
"We educate the players and in the end they play for somebody else. I find that a little bit too generous, especially when you have worked with them for years.
"I believe it is important to give them the maximum chance with your club.�
The decision to keep him in north London will reduce his competitive opportunities and this is why the Carling Cup has become so important for the club. We have a glut of talented youngsters who Wenger would prefer to continue to educate at the club but he is risking hindering their development by refusing them first team opportunities. This is why he is so reluctant to invest heavily in the transfer market and also why he will be desperate to avoid elimination tonight.
Prediction: 3-1 to The Arse. Bendtner and Eduardo to share the goals.