Arsenal entertain Crystal Palace in tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners played out a frustrating 0-0 draw against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday and manager Mikel Arteta will want a strong response in the London derby.
Arteta has made wholesale changes for the League Cup in the last two rounds, but we anticipate not more than five with a place up for grabs in the last four of the competition.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Tommy Setford made his Gunners debut in the last round with Neto Cup-tied. However, we expect David Raya to start in goal, considering the importance of the fixture.
In the backline, Arteta could make a solitary change from the Toffees draw. Gabriel Magalhaes could be rested, considering he has just returned from a hamstring issue.
Jakub Kiwior should partner William Saliba in the heart of the defence. Jurrien Timber and Myles Lewis-Skelly should continue in the right and left-back roles respectively.
Kieran Tierney is an option for the left-back position, but it is quite clear that Arteta does not fancy him and he is out-of-favour. He could head for the exit door next month.
In midfield, Declan Rice may only feature off the bench after a minor niggle on Saturday. We also anticipate Mikel Merino to be rested as he has been injury prone at Arsenal.
It could be Jorginho and Thomas Partey in the centre of the park with Martin Odegaard playing higher up from the attacking midfield position against the Eagles tonight.
In the final third, we expect two changes from the recent stalemate. Bukayo Saka should be a nailed-on starter on the right wing, but Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli could be dropped.
Havertz was far from impressive against the Toffees and he could make way for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has got into superb scoring positions, but has failed to find the net.
He could get another chance to revive his form and confidence. With Martinelli and Leandro Trossard struggling on the left wing, it is time to start Raheem Sterling from the role.
How Arsenal could line up vs Crystal Palace
Stats from Transfermarkt.com