Mikel Arteta has admitted his uncertainty over the state of his squad ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool.

The Gunners take on Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final while monitoring the condition of several players.

Nine players missed Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest and Arsenal are particularly sweating over the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe (groin), Granit Xhaka (Covid-19) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf).

“It is extremely volatile and uncertain, I don’t know what the situation is that we will have today or if it is different to yesterday,” said Arteta on Wednesday.

“Obviously I cannot get into any detail with that. It is what it is, in the last week or so we lost so many players for many different reasons and we are trying to adapt to that.

“I will use the players that we have and make the most out of it.

“You can never guarantee anything because you know things can change dramatically in 10 seconds when the doctor comes to the door and gives you the news, and we have experienced that already twice this season. Our willingness is always to play.”