Mikel Arteta has retained Ben White in the Arsenal lineup against Leeds United, while there are starts for Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal take on Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in the Carabao Cup, and Mikel Arteta has named a strong side to face Marcelo Bielsa’s men. The manager has named familiar names from his regular Premier League lineups, including Ben White and Emile Smith Rowe.
Bernd Leno has come into the side to take his place between the posts. White is retained in the side and is partnering with Rob Holding at the heart of the Arsenal defence. Cedric Soares is preferred to Calum Chambers at right-back, while Sead Kolasinac gets a rare outing at left-back in place of Nuno Tavares.
? TEAM NEWS!
?? @Bernd_Leno in goal
?? @ElNenny starts in midfield
?? @G_Martinelli01 up front#CarabaoCup— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 26, 2021
Arteta has gone with a 4-2-3-1 system, with Mohamed Elneny starting in the midfield double-pivot alongside Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with Albert Sambi Lokonga a viable option off the bench. U23s star Salah-Eddine is a surprise inclusion on the Arsenal bench.
Nicolas Pepe starts on the right side of the attack, which was expected to be the case. Similarly, Gabriel Martinelli gets a chance to shine on the left side. Smith Rowe is included in the side to play the central attacking role. Eddie Nketiah is preferred to lead the line ahead of Folarin Balogun or Alexandre Lacazette, both of whom remain on the bench.
Arsenal Starting Lineup: Leno; Cedric, White, Holding, Kolasinac; Maitland-Niles, Elneny; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Martinelli; Nketiah
