Carrick reveals team news for Arsenal clash

Thursday night's contest kicks off at 20:15 GMT and fans in the UK can take up an offer of a free trial with Amazon Prime Video in order to see it live.

With Ralf Rangnick still awaiting his work visa before taking interim charge of the team, Carrick will be able to enjoy being in charge of the Reds at the Theatre of Dreams for the first time.

Harry Maguire returns from a one-match ban with the skipper giving Carrick another option at the back, even though Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof formed a solid partnership in the creditable 1-1 draw away to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

Luke Shaw has been treated carefully after suffering a couple of head injuries and missed the games against Villarreal and Chelsea. Raphael Varane, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani have also been on the sidelines due to injury, and are not in a position to face the Gunners.

"Nothing really new," said Carrick, when asked by club media at Carrington for an update on the team news. "There are always niggles at this time of year, playing a lot of games. There are always players you're waiting on a little bit, to an extent.

"Obviously, Harry is coming back into the squad after his suspension but we'll see who is fit and available for tomorrow [Thursday]."

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Mikel Arteta has been asked about Bukayo Saka's fitness, with the England international hoping to feature despite being withdrawn in the win over Newcastle United last time out.

"I am hopeful but we don't know," said Arteta at his press conference on Wednesday morning. "Obviously, it's a really short turnaround and the player has to be comfortable playing with a little injury. So let's see how he is in training. We're not going to risk our players if we believe that that can obviously go against us. Playing with an injury means that he may have to leave the pitch and, when someone has to leave the pitch, I believe that he's injured, even though he's willing to continue. 

"That injury can be 24 hours, 72 hours or a year. Bukayo is really willing. He's been preparing for the last two days because he wants to play and let's see how he is."

In terms of other personnel, Arteta added: "Granit [Xhaka] is still not ready. [Sead] Kolasinac is still not ready. We have a doubt with Bukayo and another few knocks we got against Newcastle so today is the day to assess how everyone is and if they will be fit for Thursday."