Arsenal host Brighton at the Emirates in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
The Gunners are riding high after securing their seventh consecutive victory in all competitions on the weekend, easing past Crystal Palace courtesy of a solitary goal from Eberechi Eze.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the Premier League, while they’ve also won all three of their Champions League fixtures so far this season.
It would therefore be safe to suggest that the North Londoners have greater priorities than England’s second-rate cup competition, and it would be no surprise if they made wholesale changes for the clash with the Seagulls.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Brighton
Arsenal need to rest at least six of their key players against Brighton.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Declan Rice should not be involved in any capacity, while Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, and Martin Zubimendi all need a rest.
Arteta needs to take a cautious approach and ensure his most pivotal stars aren’t overburdened with minutes. This Brighton game gives him the perfect opportunity to do this, and to blood some fringe players who need time on the pitch.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will replace David Raya in goal, while an entirely new back four could be fielded. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly could form the strongest back-up defence in European football against Fabian Hurzeler’s team.
In midfield, Christian Norgaard is in line for a start, while Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri also need minutes.
Up front is where Arteta might run into the most issues regarding rotation. Bukayo Saka simply cannot play, and Gabriel Martinelli is among those who sustained an injury against Palace.
The Brazilian may well be fit to feature, and if he is, he’ll have to form a front three consisting of Leandro Trossard and Max Dowman.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Brighton: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Dowman, Trossard, Martinelli.
Brighton team news ahead of Arsenal clash
Hurzeler has a whole host of injury issues to contend with.
The German has seven players suffering from knocks, none of whom will be available to play against Arsenal, or at any point in the immediate future.
Centre-back Adam Webster is out until the end of the season with an ACL injury, while Solly March won’t feature until the new year due to a knee problem.
Meanwhile, Jack Hinshelwood is out with an ankle injury, James Milner won’t return until mid-November with a minor muscle issue and Joe Veltman is still recovering from a calf strain.
Perhaps the most detrimental injuries for Brighton are to Kaoru Mitoma and Brajan Gruda. The former has an ankle problem which will keep him out until November, while the latter is struggling with a knee problem.
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