Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Aaron Ramsey can rise to the challenge and stake his claim for a regular first-team place by leading the Gunners to victory over Liverpool in Wednesday's Carling Cup clash at the Emirates Stadium.

With Wenger set to again mix things up in terms of team selection, Wales international Ramsey is in line for what would be his second start, but an 11th appearance of an important season.

Ramsey will turn 19 on Boxing Day, and Wenger believes the former Cardiff trainee has come a long way since his £5million move during the summer of 2008, scoring in the 4-1 Premier League win over Portsmouth as well as playing in Europe.

"If you consider he is only 18, Ramsey has developed exceptionally well," said the Arsenal manager.

"He has made a big improvement compared to last year, when he still looked a little bit like a youth player, but now he looks like a [first-team] player.

"He is really pushing hard - and the other midfielders have a lot of work to keep him out of the side because he is getting very close.

"The target I set him at the start of the season was to get between 15 and 20 games this year, and I think he will get that."

Winger Samir Nasri was named on the bench for Sunday's 2-2 draw at West Ham, in a welcome return following a broken leg suffered on the pre-season trip to Austria.

Wenger hinted the French international was likely to feature against Liverpool, with goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski another looking to sharpen up his fitness after coming back from knee surgery with the reserves last week.

Philippe Senderos and veteran Mikael Silvestre should provide some experience in defence.

"I will put out a team that has a good chance to win the game. It will be a mixed team, but we want to win every game, no matter who plays," said Wenger, who was less than impressed by the way Arsenal let a 2-0 lead slip during the final 15 minutes at Upton Park.

"Liverpool always have a big squad and therefore you face strong opposition.

"I believe they will have to rotate as well as they played Manchester United on Sunday, play again in the league again on Saturday and then go to Lyon."

Young forward Sanchez Watt will be hoping to get another chance to impress, having scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win over West Brom in the last round.

The 18-year-old was part of Arsenal's FA Youth Cup winning side last season, and has enjoyed his step up to the first-team squad, being on the bench for the Champions League opener at Standard Liege.

"I am learning so much all the time," he said.

"Arsene Wenger has taught me a lot when I have trained with the first team, and obviously I get to learn from people like Robin van Persie as well.

"I am playing as a front man so I am watching everything he does on the ball, off it, his movement, everything.

"I ask him a lot of questions and he helps me out giving me plenty of advice, and I take it all in.

"Robin is a big team player, he doesn't just work for himself - all the players love him."

Although raised in Hackney, Watt was a Liverpool fan as a boy, following his father's favourite team, before being scouted by the Gunners while playing at the Senrab club in east London, which boasts the likes of England duo John Terry and Jermain Defoe among its former players.

Now, though, the teenager is fully focused on making a successful career at Emirates Stadium.

"I am just looking to train hard here and take my chances when they come, doing as well as I can and helping the team win games," Watt told the November edition of the official Arsenal magazine.

"After my recent experiences, I definitely want it even more now."

(reopens) Wenger confirmed Nasri and Fabianski will feature, but revealed England Under-21 midfielder Jack Wilshere is out with an ankle problem along with defender Armand Traore (groin).

However, the Arsenal manager also hinted strikers Eduardo and Nicklas Bendtner, both substitutes against West Ham, could be brought back.

"Nasri comes back but Traore, who played in the last round is out. He has a groin problem," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"Fabianski will get a game too, he will start, Eduardo and Bendtner will be back, but Jack had a knock on his ankle and will be out unfortunately.

"It is a question of days, but we made a trial with him on Sunday and we are resigned to the fact he will be just too short to play."