Arsenal v Liverpool preview

Aquilani: Set for Liverpool debut

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Arsenal and Liverpool are both set to make a host of changes for their Carling Cup fourth round tie at Emirates Stadium.

The two sides will want to rest players before their important Premier League games at the weekend with crucial UEFA Champions League matches following only days later.

However, both managers will be looking to progress to the quarter-finals as Arsenal look to bounce back from their disappointing draw with West Ham and Liverpool hope to build on their huge 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has stated that he will mix experience with youth, while opposite number Rafa Benitez has already admitted that Alberto Aquilani will make the bench for the first time on Wednesday.

Despite the fact that the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin are usually given the night off whenever the Gunners play in the Carling Cup, watching Wenger's men in the competition still has a special draw as supporters hope to catch a glimpse of the next generation waiting in the wings.

The two teams haven't met in the competition since January 2007 when Arsenal won 6-3 in an astonishing game at Anfield with Julio Baptista grabbing four.

Gunners news

The big Brazilian is now plying his trade for Roma but youngsters such as striker Carlos Vela, midfielders Fran Merida, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere and defender Kieran Gibbs have all shone in the competition before and could feature against the Reds.

Frenchman Samir Nasri could make his first appearance of the season after breaking his leg in the summer while goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could also start after recovering from knee surgery.

Defenders Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre could add the experience as they hope to feature in the heart of the back four.

The young Gunners may have swept away Championship sides and, on occasion, top flight teams in the competition in the past, but the test against Liverpool is likely to be their toughest yet.

Reds news

Benitez is likely to name a number of first-team fringe players alongside some of the club's promising youngsters for the trip to North London.

Steven Gerrard will definitely miss out with the groin injury that forced him out of the United game but the Reds skipper should return for the match with Fulham at the weekend.

Visiting fans are likely to get their first glimpse of Aquilani after the £20million Italian arrived injured with an ankle problem he picked up at former club Roma.

The 25-year-old will not start but is sure to get a piece of the action as he builds up his fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines following surgery.

Fernando Torres required a pain-killing injection to play against United and is unlikely to be risked against the Gunners so David Ngog should start.

Defender Martin Kelly (ankle) and winger Albert Riera (hamstring) are both out but Andrea Dossena and summer signing Sotirios Krygiakos could start despite initial fears that Krygiakos could face six months out with his knee injury.