Arsenal begins their Carabao Cup journey with a visit from Brighton as Mikel Arteta eyes success in the competition.
Arsenal will turn their attention from league duties to the cup competition as Mikel Arteta looks to end a 30-year wait to win the EFL Cup. The Gunners have gone close to winning it, only to lose in their last two finals against Birmingham City and Manchester City.
There’s a stark difference between those teams and now, as Arteta has forged a side that is mounting a challenge to win the Premier League. Their latest came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Gabriel Magalhaes’ solitary goal sealing the points.
Players, staff, supporters…
All together as one at full-time 👏 pic.twitter.com/rEkMEXr4cp
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2022
Arsenal will certainly want to do better than their semi-final appearance last season in the competition. The pressing matter would be to get a better result against Brighton. Arteta’s side are winless against the Seagulls in their last two clashes.
Roberto De Zerbi’s reign at Brighton is finally off to a good start. After going five games without a win since taking over, the Seagulls have won their previous two games. A 4-1 win over Chelsea, followed by a thrilling victory over Wolves.
Pascal Gross’ 83rd-minute striker was enough to down 10-man wolves and maintained Brighton’s 6th position on the table. De Zerbi will welcome the distraction of the cup ahead of the final Premier League matchday before the World Cup break with a tricky trip to Arsenal.
Unlike the Gunners, Brighton had to play a prior round and beat Forest Green Rovers 3-0 before making it to this clash. De Zerbi will be eager for another big scalp of a London side, but Arsenal will challenge the manager’s credentials.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Arteta could bring many of their fringe players and a few youth stars to feature in the EFL Cup. For now, the younger players may become a part of the bench, as the manager would prefer to start with the Europa League regulars.
😅 A beautiful day for training at Colney ☔️ pic.twitter.com/RjpGWVCSgg
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 8, 2022
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith-Rowe are the only players absent through injuries. Cedric Soares could make his first start, with Rob Holding coming in for William Saliba. Gabriel Magalhaes, fresh from his Brazil snub, could partner in central defence. Kieran Tierney is the obvious choice to play left-back.
Mohamed Elneny is likely to start in central midfield alongside Sambi Lokonga. Fabio Vieira could take the advanced role, while Arteta could hand Marquinhos a rare start in the attack if he is available.
Eddie Nketiah is clear to lead the line, as Arteta could provide Gabriel Jesus a rest ahead of the weekend. Reiss Nelson could compete on the left side of the attack. Arteta will likely rest World Cup-bound Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka for this midweek clash.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Turner; Soares, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Elneny, Lokonga; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson
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Brighton
De Zerbi has a full squad, except for Jakub Moder, a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury. The midfielder will only be available at the end of February.
"When we wear this shirt, we must try to win." 👊 RDZ on an "important" fixture. ⤵️
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 8, 2022
The manager may take the cup games to give fringe players starts, with Jason Steele, Tariq Lamptey, and Billy Gilmour keen to feature. De Zerbi could also involve striker Danny Welbeck, who could face his former side while looking for his first goal this season.
Steele will start in goal, replacing Robert Sanchez. Levi Colwill could come in central defence alongside Adam Webster. Lamptey could be the right-back, with Pervis Estupinan on the left.
Pascal Gross could shift to a midfield berth alongside Gilmour, while Kaoru Mitomo will likely keep his place on the left wing. Deniz Undav could get a start against Arsenal, with Adam Lallana and Welbeck completing the attacking setup for Brighton.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Steele; Lamptey, Webster, Colwill, Estupinian; Gross, Gilmour; Undav, Lallana, Mitomo; Welbeck
Key Stats
- Arsenal have failed to win the last two meetings with Brighton in all competitions.
- Arsenal have won all their last 12 matches contested at the Emirates.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches in all competitions.
- Brighton have seen elimination from the EFL Cup in the fourth round in the last two seasons.
- Brighton have conceded at least 2-goals in their last 5 away games.
Player to Watch
Eddie Nketiah
There’s a growing concern when it comes to Nketiah. The striker, re-signing amid much debate in the summer, has not produced the form he finished the previous season with. With only two goals in the opening Europa League group games, the striker is fighting to stay relevant in an in-form team under Arteta.
If his no-show episode is to continue, it won’t be long before Arteta seeks another option either internally or through the transfer market. Nketiah is on thin ice, and barely any games are left before the break to shine. Yet, the Carabao Cup clash is another opportunity to showcase his talents, and he needs a top performance against Brighton.
Prediction
Arsenal 3-1 Brighton
Arsenal have been unbeatable at home this season, winning their Premier League and Europa League games contested here. The trend could continue in the third competition for Arteta despite Brighton’s obvious threat.
De Zerbi will consider this game a test of Brighton’s character, but his attention will be on a good finish in the Premier League. Their away form has also not been great to consider them anywhere near favourites to get a positive result at the Emirates. Expect Arsenal to get a comfortable win over the Seagulls in north London.
