Arsenal are preparing for a Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea on Wednesday, as the first leg will take place at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners will hope to take a lead into the second leg, which will be on February 3 at the Emirates. They come off a 4-1 win against Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round, in which Gabriel Martinelli was able to net a hat-trick.
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Mikel Arteta will want to ensure his side reach the Wembley final in the Carabao Cup, as Arsenal have won just one trophy under the Spaniard, and that came in his first season in 2020/21.
It won’t be easy as Arsenal will take on Chelsea, who will be under new manager Liam Rosenior, who got off to winning ways with a 5-1 win against Charlton in the FA Cup.
See below how we think Arteta will line up his Arsenal side on Wednesday…
Lewis-Skelly in for the injured Calafiori
GK – David Raya – Kepa Arizzabalaga has been in goal during the cup competitions, but seeing as it’s a crucial semi-final, we have Raya starting here.
LB – Myles Lewis-Skelly – The 19-year-old takes the left-back spot, as Riccardo Calafiori is set to miss the game with an injury.
CB – William Saliba – Saliba was rested against Portsmouth, so he should be back into the starting XI this week.
CB – Gabriel – Gabriel didn’t get a rest in midweek, but he is virtually a must-start for Arsenal each and every week.
RB – Jurrien Timber – Timber starts at right-back, and could find himself coming up against one of Estevao, Jamie Gittens, or Pedro Neto.
Odegaard returns to the Arsenal midfield
CM – Martin Zubimendi –Zubimendi starts in the holding midfield role, he may have the task of keeping Cole Palmer quiet.
CM – Declan Rice – Rice will hope he can put in a starring role yet again, as he continues on an excellent season.
CAM – Martin Odegaard –Odegaard was rested in favour of Eberechi Eze on Sunday, he should be back into the side this week.
Martinelli starts after FA Cup hat-trick
LW – Gabriel Martinelli – Martinelli has to start after scoring a hat-trick last time out. It means Leandro Trossard will drop to the bench.
RW – Bukayo Saka –Saka was also rested in the FA Cup clash, so he should be back into the starting XI against Chelsea.
ST – Viktor Gyokeres – Gabriel Jesus played well against Portsmouth, so Gyokeres needs a strong performance to keep his role in the side.