Arsenal will look to advance to the fifth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham.
After edging past Brentford in September, the Gunners have won five and drawn one in six games across all competitions. They are in great form at the moment and thrashed basement Premier League club Sheffield United 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, with Eddie Nketiah grabbing the headlines with a hat-trick.
Mikel Arteta will want to go far in the Carabao Cup but first must overcome West Ham, who heading into Wednesday’s fixture off the back of a poor 1-0 home defeat to Everton in the league on Sunday.
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta won’t be able to call upon the injured trio of Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey, but there is a chance of Martin Odegaard being involved after the Norwegian playmaker stayed an unused substitute in Arsenal’s victory over Sheffield United on Saturday with a slight hip problem.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs West Ham (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Mikel Arteta could hand Aaron Ramsdale a recall having favoured David Raya in between the sticks for Premier League and Champions League fixtures. If given an opportunity, the England international will be hoping to impress by keeping a clean sheet at the London Stadium.
Defence
With a trip to Newcastle United on Saturday in mind, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad for the upcoming Carabao Cup clash. Starting from defence, Gabriel Magalhaes could be recalled into the starting XI after being an unused substitute against the Blades on Sunday. He could partner Takehiro Tomiyasu in central defence, with William Saliba likely getting a breather.
Jakub Kiwior started in central defence in Arsenal’s last league fixture but Gabriel’s recall should see him being shifted to left-back. Meanwhile, Ben White is expected to retain his spot at right-back.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Jorginho should start as a shield in front of Arsenal’s back four. He will look to take control of the game as quickly as possible. Declan Rice returns to West Ham for the first time after his big-money summer move to Arsenal, and the England international will be raring to put in a strong shift in the middle of the park.
Emile Smith Rowe should join Rice and Jorginho in the Arsenal engine room, with Odegaard expected to start on the bench once again.
Attack
Fresh from scoring an eye-catching hat-trick, Eddie Nketiah will be raring to get on the scoresheet against West Ham in midweek. However, with big games coming up thick and fast and Gabriel Jesus injured, Arteta may look to rest Nketiah and start Kai Havertz up top.
Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard could get the nod to support Havertz from wide positions. In Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard, Arteta will have top attacking talents on the bench who can come on in the second half and change the course of the game.
