Lucas Perez starts up-front for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger looks to build momentum with an away win against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup.
Arsene Wenger would ideally want to build momentum going into a string of important matches in their 2016-17 campaign. Yet the French manager has chosen to start with a youthful lineup against Nottingham Forest for the EFL Cup.
Gunners fans would be happy to see new signings Lucas Perez and Granit Xhaka being handed starts and it appears as they have been given a chance to prove themselves. Elsewhere, there are starts for Gabriel Paulista who partners Rob Holding in defence with Kieran Gibbs and Maitland-Niles on either side of the duo.
It’s an hour before kick-off – and that means we can now reveal our team for #NFFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/h5HrzPzdnR
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 20, 2016
Our captain tonight?
It’s this guy…#NFFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/5Rlg7gj4yY
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 20, 2016
Elneny partners Xhaka while Reine-Adelaide has been handed the responsibility of playing in the number 10 role with Englishmen Oxlade-Chamberlain and Akpom on either wing.
Here’s tonight’s #NFFC line-up in full… pic.twitter.com/QfitIZGZ9f
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) September 20, 2016
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest has named former Arsenal players Henri Lansbury and Nicklas Bendtner in their starting lineup with former Chelsea youth product Michael Mancienne starting in the defence.