Arsenal host Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, with rotation expected from Mikel Arteta.
After facing three tough battles on the road, the Gunners return home to N5 to kick off their Carabao Cup campaign.
League One outfit Bolton will visit the Emirates in the third round, giving Arteta the chance to hand several players outside of the favoured XI an opportunity to impress.
It’s been a dramatic few weeks for Arsenal, who faced Spurs, Atalanta and Manchester City away from home with each game requiring a fierce defensive shift.
How Arsenal last lined up against Bolton
Bolton coming to the Emirates rolls back the years to the last time that The Trotters featured in the top flight.
Arsenal haven’t duelled Bolton since 2012, when the two clubs met in the Premier League at the Reebok Stadium, now called the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The occasion was a frustrating one for Arsene Wenger, who despite having a star-studded XI, was unable to secure a win as Arsenal walked away with a single point from a 0-0 draw.
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Here’s how the starting XI looked on that day.
Wojciech Szczesny played in goal with Lukasz Fabianski providing back up on the bench. Szczesny has been linked to Barcelona after ending his stay at Juventus, with Fabianski still in the Premier League with West Ham.
The defence was composed of Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny, a back four that managed to keep Bolton at bay and earn a clean sheet.
Arteta was on the pitch the last time Arsenal played Bolton, as the Spaniard assumed his position in midfield alongside Alex Song and Aaron Ramsey.
On the flanks were former England international’s Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a pace-ridden duo on the wings.
Leading the line was Arsenal’s hero turned villain Robin Van Persie, who scored 30 goals in the 2011/12 campaign, which marked his last as a Gunner before his legacy was discarded.
Van Persie’s back up on the day was not a bad option, as Thierry Henry made the bench during his second spell at Arsenal, sporting the unfamiliar number 12.
Club icons Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin and Francis Coquelin were also substitutes, joined by Yossi Benayoun and Park Chu-Young.
Mikel Arteta set for another challenge against Bolton
While Arteta won’t have particularly fond memories of the last time he played against Bolton, the Arsenal boss will be eager to make new ones on Wednesday evening.
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It’s expected that after the recent challenges his side have faced, rotation will be seen, with several young players having the chance to show their ability.
Alongside the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly will be some senior players, including deadline day arrival Raheem Sterling, who has a strong record in the League Cup.
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