Mikel Arteta is predicted to make eight changes to his Arsenal team for the League Cup game against Brighton
Arsenal take on Brighton in the fourth round of the League Cup, looking to progress to yet another stage of a competition that would bring the Gunners welcome silverware. Yet there are questions over several players’ level of fitness.
Four players suffered problems against Crystal Palace, and four more remain out with longer term issues. Mikel Arteta was expected to rotate regardless but now has more impetus to do so.
While the focus might be on the Premier League, there are other cups to win and this game matters more than some might think. Arteta, therefore, needs to pick the right side as football.london runs through who he might select.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
A second appearance for the Spaniard, who kept a clean sheet against Port Vale in the third round. A good opportunity to get some better minutes against a tougher opponent.
Ben White
The dominance of Jurrien Timber in the eleven means that Ben White has needed to be very patient to get game time on the field.
Cristhian Mosquera
William Saliba might have suffered a twisted ankle, but having a player as good as Cristhian Mosquera to replace him is again a credit to the squad-building.
Piero Hincapie
A first start for a player that Arteta seems very excited to finally have the chance to give game time to after he made his Emirates Stadium debut in the closing stages of the win over Crystal Palace.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly was excellent against Atletico Madrid in the 4-0 win and will be expected to start here with a chance again to show why he deserves these minutes which are taking the Gunners to new levels with the depth in their squad.
Martin Zubimendi
There needs to be some consistency from the first eleven, and while Christian Norgaard could be selected, Martin Zubimendi appears to be the linchpin to everything the Gunners are doing.
Mikel Merino
Replacing the potentially injured Declan Rice, Mikel Merino’s role in the Arsenal side goes beyond his on-pitch duties, as it has been revealed that the Spaniard is a part of the leadership group in the squad.
Ethan Nwaneri
A rare chance for the 18-year-old to start a game for the Gunners and play in the central attacking midfield role. He scored against Brighton in the league last season and will hope to do so again.
Bukayo Saka
Despite being ill last week and not training too much, he played 65 minutes against Palace and with the shortness of options due to injuries in the front line, he starts here.
Viktor Gyokeres
Kai Havertz is working his way back, but with Merino in midfield for this test, Viktor Gyokeres starts yet again with a chance to add some more goals to his tally.
Eberechi Eze
With Gabriel Martinelli out of this game with an injury, it might be that we see the England international moved back to the left flank. Unless of course, he wants to start Leandro Trossard in a midweek game which has been something of a rarity.
