Arsenal will look to make it to the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening when they entertain Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners enjoyed a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the Premier League, thus, restoring their two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
Mikel Arteta’s side bowed out of the EFL Cup last year in the semi-finals against Liverpool, but they will be determined to go all the way this time around and end a 30-year drought without an EFL Cup prize.
Arsenal Team News
Apart from long-term groin absentee Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal’s only injury concern at the moment is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who came off with a muscular problem against FC Zurich in the Europa League and missed the trip to Chelsea.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was on the bench against FC Zurich but started at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, completing 78 minutes before being replaced by Kieran Tierney.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Brighton (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad before the weekend’s clash with Wolves. Matt Turner has recovered from a groin injury and should take the place of Aaron Ramsdale in Arsenal’s goal.
Defence
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury absence should open the door for Cedric Soares to make his first start of the season in the Arsenal lineup. The Portuguese will take up the right-back spot, with Kieran Tierney getting the nod over Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
Rob Holding is likely to be handed a start in central defence, with the Englishman replacing William Saliba in the Arsenal lineup. He could partner Gabriel Magalhaes—the match-winner against Chelsea—at the heart of the Gunners’ backline.
The Arsenal defence must stay focused throughout the 90 minutes to keep an exciting Brighton side at bay.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Mohamed Elneny should slot in as a No.6 for the Gunners. The Egyptian must keep things simple and help his team circulate the ball. Joining Elneny in central midfield could very well be Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira in the Arsenal lineup.
Operating as No.8s, Sambi Lokonga and Vieira must take control of the game from minute one and help Arsenal dominate Brighton in the centre of the pitch.
Attack
In Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Marquinhos, Arsenal could have a young and pacey attack that causes problems to the Brighton backline.
Nketiah will replace Jesus in the No.9 role from the last game, with Marquinhos and Nelson providing energy, pace and flair from wide positions in the Arsenal lineup.
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard will drop down to the bench for the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka likely to be rested for the midweek cup tie.
