Arsenal will play their third match in eight days when they host Leeds United in the fourth round of the League Cup on Tuesday.
After enduring their worst start to a season in over six decades, Arsenal have steadied the ship with a seven-game unbeaten run.
The Gunners have looked imperious in the League Cup so far, scoring nine goals and shipping none. They followed up a 6-0 thrashing of West Bromwich Albion with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wimbledon in the previous round. However, Leeds will present a much more formidable challenge to Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal haven’t lost to the West Yorkshire side since 2003, and ran out 7-0 winners the last time these two sides faced off in the League Cup way back in 1979.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta is likely to ring the changes as the Spaniard looks ahead to their Premier League clash against Leicester City over the weekend.
Granit Xhaka is unavailable for the game due to a knee injury, while Kieran Tierney is a massive doubt.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were both withdrawn in the latter stages of the 3-1 victory against Aston Villa and could be rested for this contest. The defence is also likely to be rejigged, with the likes of Rob Holding and Pablo Mari in contention for a start.
PREDICTED ARSENAL LINEUP vs LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale has enjoyed a sensational start to his Arsenal career and has firmly established himself as the London club’s first-choice keeper. That means Bernd Leno will have to be content with sporadic appearances in cup competitions, and the German is expected to start in goal against Leeds.
Defenders
Takehiro Tomiyasu is likely to be handed a well-deserved rest so the right-back position will be a toss-up between Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares. Chambers has looked the more impressive of the two this season and could get the nod to make the Arsenal lineup.
Mari and Holding could replace Ben White and Gabriel at the heart of the Arsenal defence. With Tierney unlikely to be risked for this contest, the flamboyant Nuno Tavares should continue at left-back. The Portuguese had a brilliant outing against Aston Villa and will look to continue delivering at a high level in order to challenge Tierney for a regular place in the Arsenal lineup.
Midfielders
Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga are both expected to sit out the clash, meaning Arsenal could go with a midfield pairing of Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The exciting Charlie Patino is also in contention for a start although he is more likely to feature from the bench.
Martin Odegaard was dropped from the Arsenal lineup for the game against Aston Villa after putting in a disappointing display against Crystal Palace. But the Norwegian should return to the Arsenal lineup against Leeds. Odegaard’s silky touch and quick feet will play a key role in breaking the Leeds press and driving Arsenal forward.
Attackers
Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pepe is expected to be reinstated on the right flank in place of Bukayo Saka. The Ivorian has struggled to make any kind of impact this season and will hope that an impressive display against Leeds can serve as a catalyst to turn his fortunes around.
Gabriel Martinelli could be handed a rare start on the left flank. The Brazilian is widely considered to be one of Arsenal’s brightest young talents and will be hoping to score his first goal since May.
With Lacazette and Aubameyang set to be rested, either Eddie Nketiah or Folarin Balogun will be tasked with leading the line for the Gunners. Nketiah scored in Arsenal’s victory over Wimbledon in the previous round and could get the nod.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Leeds United