Arsenal get their Carabao Cup competition underway on Wednesday evening when they travel across the capital to face Brentford.
The Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw by North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in an exciting Premier League clash on Sunday. The result left them fifth on the table after six games, four points behind league leaders Manchester City.
In midweek, Mikel Arteta may feel that he has the perfect opportunity to rotate his pack for the upcoming Carabao Cup third-round tie with Brentford, who will head into this game off the back of a 3-1 league defeat to Everton.
Arsenal Team News
Declan Rice was taken off at half-time against Tottenham with a back injury and Mikel Arteta remains hopeful that the midfielder won’t be out for any significant period of time. In addition, Fabio Vieira also failed to emerge for the second half but Arteta confirmed after the game that the Portuguese midfielder’s substitution was tactical and not related to injury.
Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard missed the North London derby due to injury problems, with the latter suffering a muscle problem. Both Martinelli and Trossard remain unlikely to feature against Brentford in the EFL Cup.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Brentford (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David Raya has started Arsenal’s last three games in all competitions and performed very well, repaying Mikel Arteta’s faith in him. But in the Carabao Cup against Brentford, there’s every chance of Aaron Ramsdale starting in goal in the Arsenal lineup.
Defence
Rotations are expected for the midweek cup fixture against Brentford. Starting from the back, Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu should replace Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White in the full-back positions in the Arsenal lineup. White could move into central defence to partner Gabriel Magalhaes, with William Saliba getting a breather.
Midfield
Jorginho, who came on for the injured Rice at half-time on Sunday, was culpable for Spurs’ second goal. The Italy international will be raring to make amends and put in a tidy display against Brentford.
With Martin Odegaard set to be rested, the match represents the perfect opportunity for Emile Smith Rowe to make his first start of the season. Jorginho and Smith Rowe could be joined by Fabio Vieira in the Arsenal lineup, who will have a thing or two to prove after being hauled off at half-time against Spurs for tactical reasons.
Attack
In Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s injury absences on Sunday, Arteta opted to field a front three comprising of Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus. However, the Arsenal boss is expected to refresh his attacking options as well against Brentford.
Reiss Nelson may take the reigns on the left flank in the Arsenal lineup. He would then be joined by Kai Havertz and Jesus in attack. Havertz, who has operated mainly in central midfield for the Gunners so far this season, should start on the right wing with Jesus leading the attack against the Bees.