Arsenal take on Port Vale at Vale Park in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
The Gunners will be looking to reach the fourth round of the cup competition for the third season in a row, although Mikel Arteta will likely name a much-changed side from the team that drew with Manchester City on Sunday.
Arteta’s team travel to the north-west to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park at the weekend, and thus, the Spaniard won’t be keen on risking anyone he is considering starting on Tyneside.
This could therefore mean certain players make their full debuts in red and white against Port Vale, while some youngsters from the Hale End academy could also feature.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Port Vale
Kepa Arrizabalaga could finally make his competitive debut for Arsenal against the League One side, with David Raya in need of a rest.
Meanwhile, Ben White is fit and available again, so he should certainly come in for Jurrien Timber at right-back.
Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie could start together for the first time at the heart of the Gunners’ back four, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes protected ahead of Sunday.
At left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly should make his first start of the season, while Christian Norgaard will, like Hincapie and Kepa, make his full debut for his new club.
Ethan Nwaneri has merited some minutes from the beginning, while Mikel Merino only played 45 minutes on the weekend and will likely be left on the bench against Newcastle after a disappointing performance against City, meaning he may start in Staffordshire.
Noni Madueke faces two months on the sidelines through injury, which should create space for Max Dowman to feature on the right wing more frequently.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli will likely complete Arsenal’s front three.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Port Vale: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Dowman, Trossard, Martinelli.
Which Arsenal youngsters could feature off the bench against Port Vale?
Arteta tends to like blooding academy players in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup.
While the depth in the tactician’s squad means only Dowman is likely to be involved from the start against Port Vale, there could be room for some young players on the bench.
If Arsenal are in a comfortable position, these Hale End stars could make an entrance late on.
Josh Nichols has featured in the first team before and is certainly a candidate to replace Ben White in the latter stages if the England international isn’t ready to play 90 minutes yet.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old centre-back Marli Salmon could be used to protect either Hincapie or Mosquera at some point.
There likely isn’t much room for many more, although Andre Harriman-Annous is an outside shout. The 17-year-old striker was on the bench at Anfield, and either Trossard or Martinelli could make way for him, with Viktor Gyokeres needing a complete rest.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
