Arsenal travel to Brentford to face off in an EFL Cup third round clash on Wednesday evening.
Arsenal will be keen to get back to winning ways after being frustrated in a 2-2 draw against rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
However, Mikel Arteta must balance his desire to progress in the cup competition with the need to rotate his squad.
The Gunners have been ravaged by injuries in the early stages of this season. The likes of Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard have all been impacted by fitness issues of varying severity so far.
Arteta must take this opportunity to give some of the fringe members of his squad a chance to shine, whilst affording some of Arsenal’s top stars an opportunity to rest.
Predicted Arsenal starting XI
Aaron Ramsdale
Having seemingly lost his starting place to David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale will surely be given the opportunity to respond with a quality display against the Bees. Even though Raya is on loan at Arsenal from Brentford, he does have permission from his parent club to play in this match, but is unlikely to feature.
Ben White
Following Timber’s injury, Arsenal are light on full-black options. Ben White’s durability is one of his major assets, and he has the endurance to deal with this fixture being part of his schedule. Cedric Soares or promising youngster Reuell Walters could feature from the bench.
William Saliba
At least one of William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes is likely to have to start. Given that the £190,000-a-week Frenchman is right-footed, he would be the more natural partner for Jakub Kiwior.
Jakub Kiwior
Opportunities have been limited for Kiwior since his £20 million January arrival from Spezia. However, the 23-year-old has shown flashes of quality when he has played, and needs to kick on this season now he has had a chance to settle at the north London club.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s minutes need to be managed and his fitness can’t be risked. Takehiro Tomiyasu showed against PSV Eindhoven that he can effectively replicate the Ukrainian left-back’s tactical function in this Arsenal team.
Jorginho
With Declan Rice and Thomas Partey both injured, and Mohamed Elneny unlikely to be fit to start, Jorginho will be handed this opportunity to bounce back from his nightmare display against Tottenham Hotspur.
Martin Odegaard
A lack of viable alternatives means that the Arsenal club captain probably has to start. Arteta needs Martin Odegaard to get through this match unscathed.
Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira or Kai Havertz could easily be given the nod for this match. This game would be a great chance for Havertz to get his first goal contribution since joining Arsenal this summer. However, Vieira could be named in the starting XI against Brentford if the German has been earmarked to start against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Reiss Nelson
Bukayo Saka needs to be rested and Reiss Nelson needs to prove that the new contract he was handed in July was a worthwhile investment.
Emile Smith Rowe
With Martinelli and Trossard injured, Emile Smith Rowe ought to be handed his first Arsenal start of the season on the left flank. The 23-year-old must take this chance to prove he can still be a key player for the Gunners.
Eddie Nketiah
With Gabriel Jesus needed to be fresh for this weekend’s Premier League clash, Eddie Nketiah may well be given this game to impress after struggling against Spurs. Alternatively, Havertz could also be called upon to lead the line.
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