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Despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Everton in the Premier League, Arsenal are maintaining their pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea. But for the time being, Mikel Arteta will have to shift his focus to the Carabao Cup.
The Carabao Cup’s quarter-final fixtures are set to be played this midweek and Arsenal will welcome a buoyant Crystal Palace side.
The Gunners are undefeated in their previous 8 matches but beating Palace won’t be an easy task because the Eagles, themselves, are undefeated in their last 5 matches. Also, recently, they have been able to hold the likes of Villa, Newcastle United and Manchester City to quite impressive draws.
Arsenal will still be the bookmakers’ favourites to win on Wednesday night but this one’s a tricky fixture because Palace have what it takes to knock Arsenal out.
Arsenal’s team news and possible rotations:
After the Carabao Cup game, Arsenal will once again face Palace next weekend, this time in the Premier League and that match will be far more important in terms of pushing for that elusive league trophy.
Mikel Arteta will be itching to name his strongest side on Wednesday however, there’s a major chance that the Arsenal manager will rest some of his most important and regular players.
Mikel Merino started in central midfield for the Everton game but against Crystal Palace, Thomas Partey or Jorginho will come into the starting XI.
Riccardo Calafiori, Zinchenko, Ben White and Tomiyasu are all out injured and neither will be available for selection. With so many full-backs out injured, Arteta will have to put his faith in 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber.
The option of Kieran Tierney is also available to Mikel Arteta but Lewis-Skelly did a wonderful job against Everton so he will hold onto his position.
Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard came off the bench at the weekend however, the pair should be named in the starting lineup.
Bukayo Saka has scored 5 goals and 10 assists in 15 league games this season but the England international should be given a much-deserved rest. Raheem Sterling has hardly featured for Arsenal since joining them but this midweek game is the ideal one for the winger to come in and replace Saka.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace:
Goalkeeper: David Raya.
Defenders: Lewis-Skelly, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, William Saliba.
Midfielders: Thomas Partey/Jorginho, Odegaard, Declan Rice.
Attackers: Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace - EFL Cup 24/25