The debate facing Mikel Arteta and Oliver Glasner, as Arsenal hosted Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, was how dramatically would they shuffle their pack?
In Glasner’s case, well, not much.
It was pretty much a full strength team at the Emirates from a Palace outfit determined to give themselves a chance of securing a semi-final berth. Only Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz was missing against Arsenal due to suspension, with 18-year-old Caleb Kporha the only unfamiliar name in Glasner’s XI.
Arsenal, in contrast, saw eight changes from Saturday’s goalless draw at Everton.
And while Arteta would find himself beaming the Bat Signal for Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka – The Gunners’ biggest names stepping off the bench at 1-0 down and changing the game in the home side’s favour – there were rare starts for the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Kieran Tierney, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus on Wednesday night.
Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino – two squad players who moved to North London for a combined initial fee of £47 million – were also included from the off.
And, for Glasner, the fact that Arsenal could make eight changes and still include the likes of Sterling and Gabriel Jesus is testament to the depth at Arteta’s disposal.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal runs away to celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal a...
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Crystal Palace boss highlights Arsenal strength as Gabriel Jesus hits hat-trick
“We know they have a great squad,” Glasner told reporters at full-time. “Otherwise, it’s not possible to play for the Premier League. Last year, I think they were two points behind [Manchester] City.
“Also, when you see the attacking players today – Trossard, Jesus and Sterling, fantastic, Merino – everybody I think was bought for £40, £50, £60 million!”
Now, Glasner is a little wide of the mark here. Of the four players he mentioned, only former Man City forward Gabriel Jesus set Arsenal back in excess of £40 million.
Sterling joined on loan from Chelsea. Trossard arrived for an initial fee of just £20 million. Merino, meanwhile, cost £27 million when the one-time Newcastle United youngster returned for a second stab at English football.
Yet, Glasner believes that, with a number of quality players available in multiple positions, it is no mystery when Arsenal have gone toe-to-toe with Manchester City in the last few seasons.
“They have this quality in the squad, and that’s why they can compete for the Premier League and the Champions League. This is their goal,” the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss adds, Palace set for a rematch with Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday night.
“We have different circumstances but we will do our best. We will analyse this game, learn from it, and try to beat them un three days. It’s not easy but we will try definitely.”
Mikel Arteta lauds Gabriel Jesus after his EFL Cup heroics
Gabriel Jesus hit a thrilling second-half half-trick as Arsenal bounced back from Jean-Philippe Mateta’s early opener. The Brazil international’s leveller – a gorgeous chip over an in-form Dean Henderson – was his first goal at the Emirates in over a year.
As Arsenal icon Alan Smith quipped on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports, you wait all year for a London bus and three come along at once.
“Obviously, a big night for Gabby,” Arteta smiles in his own post-match press conference. “A big night for a player that constantly tries and is not someone that is going to keep anything for himself. He tries to give his best to the team.
“He produced three great moments, helped us to obviously win the game. And, for other players like Kieran, like Raz [Sterling], that hasn’t played many minutes, that they feel important and feel they can contribute to the team in the right way.
“So, a good night.”
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