Arsenal could bring fringe players into the lineup for the Brighton clash, with Mikel Arteta looking to field a competitive side.
Mikel Arteta has claimed he would field a competitive side against Brighton & Hove Albion for the Carabao Cup. He stated that Arsenal will take the competition seriously. Some Premier League regulars might get rested, while fringe stars could be up for a call-up for the Brighton clash at the Emirates.
As there was no press conference, Arteta spoke to the club media, outlining the game plan for the Carabao Cup third-round clash. The Arsenal boss suggested the ones who have not played much could be allowed game time.
Arteta said, “It is a different competition, but the purpose is the same. To play as good as we can, win the game, and go into the next round, You know there are no second chances, and we’ll take it very seriously.”
“We’re going to pick a very competitive team. Everyone deserves chances, and we’ll make some changes with judgement in relation to the load of the players, but we’ll play to win.”
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“The ones that haven’t played want to have their chance and feel that they are contributing to the team. The positive thing is that everybody has played games and everyone has been important. We have two games to go, and the focus has to be there because we know that afterward, we have a big break.”
Matt Turner could return after featuring on the bench against Chelsea. The American goalkeeper will hope for game time ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He lost out on two Europa League encounters with a groin problem but remains in contention for the Brighton clash.
Cedric Soares could make his first start of the season. Despite the feeling the Portuguese would have started all of Arsenal’s Europa League clashes, he has yet to make one. The Brighton clash seems like the one, as he could replace Ben White, while Takehiro Tomiyasu remains injured.
Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes are the likeliest central defensive pair. Kieran Tierney will return and replace Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back. Mohamed Elneny should take his place in the holding midfield role, with Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira on either side of the Egyptian.
Depending on his availability, Marquinhos could be in for a rare start on the wings. The 19-year-old is likely to replace Bukayo Saka on the right. Reiss Nelson could come in for Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank, with Eddie Nketiah leading the line for Arsenal against Brighton.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Turner; Soares, Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Tierney; Vieira, Elneny, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson
