Arsenal could have quite a few of their first-choice players back on Thursday, with the club currently in no doubt the Liverpool game will happen.

Goal report that Martin Odegaard is one player returning to training before Thursday, following his recovery from Covid-19.

In terms of injuries, Arsenal are hopeful of getting back Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as well as those players that picked up knocks against Liverpool – including Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney, and Calum Chambers.

That would represent the vast majority of Arsenal’s starters, with the exception of Thomas Partey, who should soon be returning from AFCON, and Granit Xhaka, who is suspended. But there are no guarantees on the returners from injury yet.

On the other side of things, Football.London report that Cedric Soares is highly unlikely to be available for the Liverpool clash, as he’s not been training and is still unable to run with his hip injury.

Goal confirm that Cedric looks set to miss Thursday night’s game.

If all goes well, Arsenal will be a bit light in midfield, but the rest of the team will be in a good position. Mikel Arteta may well have his first-choice back four and goalkeeper, as well as his first-choice front three and number 10.

Presumably, Arteta will want to select his strongest side for the game, to try and reach that Wembley final next month.

Though there is a game on Sunday to worry about, Burnley’s regular postponements make it impossible to know if that match will happen. Better to focus on the game we know is going ahead.