Georginio Rutter and Stefanos Tzimas warm-up against Arsenalplaceholder image
Georginio Rutter and Stefanos Tzimas warm-up against Arsenal | Getty Images
Arsenal vs Brighton in the Carabao Cup at the Emirates Stadium
Fabian Hurzeler has changed systems for the trip to face Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Brighton made a number of changes from the 4-2 Premier League loss at Manchester United and it looks like a 3-4-3 formation at the Emirates.
Jason Steele, who is yet to conceded a goal in the Carabao Cup, starts in goal and ahead of him is a three-man defence.
Italian defender Diego Coppola is likely to be the right of a back three, with Jan Paul van Hecke in the middle and Olivier Boscagli on the left of the three.
Turkey international Ferdi Kadioglu will play in a right wing back type role with Maxim De Cuyper on the left.
Out of sorts midfielder Carlos Baleba will be joined by Paraguay international Diego Gomez in the engine room.
But it’s the front three that should excite the fans as youthful Greek duo Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas start to together for the first time. Tzimas and Kostoulas are likely to be on the flanks with Georginio operating through the middle.
Hurzeler: It’s not about the age, it’s about the quality
“It’s not about age, it's about quality,” said Hurzeler prior to the match. “So that's what we try to focus on, but for sure you always need a good balance in the team, especially against a team like Arsenal.
“We see the young players adapting quite well in training. We can't expect magical things from them all the time, we give them the environment where they can improve and that's the main thing.
“And we also have to give them the belief and the trust that they can do it against big teams.”
Confirmed XIs
Brighton starting XI: Steele, Van hecke, Tzimas, Georginio, Baleba, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomes, De Cuyper, Coppola. Subs: Rammin, Dunk, Minteh, Watson, Welbeck, Ayari, Wieffer, Knight, Simmonds.
Meanwhile, it’s a big night for Arsenal’s 15-year-old Max Dowman, who becomes their youngest ever starter. Head coach Mikel Arteta made 10 changes.
Arsenal starting XI: Arrizabalaga, White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri, Dowman, Eze, Harriman-Annous. Subs: Raya, Gabriel, Saka, Timber, Gyokeres, Trossard, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice.
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