Arsenal are preparing for their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday night at the Emirates.
The first leg was a 3-2 Arsenal win at Stamford Bridge, meaning the Gunners have a one-goal advantage to keep hold of in order to get themselves to Wembley. It would give them a shot at their first piece of silverware since 2020 in Mikel Arteta’s first season.
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Arsenal come off an impressive 4-0 win against Leeds United, which saw two Gunners suffer injuries. Mikel Merino requires ankle surgery which is set to keep him out for the rest of the season, and Bukayo Saka also picked up a knock.
Saka could be left out as a precaution on Tuesday, despite Arteta saying it was a minor issue. He said on Monday: “We have to wait… Today, he was better, but we have to wait and see how he responds, and then make the decision. It doesn’t look like something too serious. Whether he’s going to be available for tomorrow or the weekend, we’ll see.”
Kepa replaces David Raya in goal
GK – Kepa Arizzabalaga – The former Chelsea keeper has started every game in the Carabao Cup this season for the Gunners.
LB – Riccardo Calafiori – When fit, Calafiori is Arteta’s first choice left-back, so he gets the start on Tuesday night.
CB – William Saliba – Seeing as both Saliba and Gabriel are fit, there is no reason why Arteta would rest them in such an important game.
CB – Gabriel – Gabriel will be tasked with keeping his Brazil teammates Joao Pedro and Estevao quiet on Tuesday.
RB – Jurrien Timber – Ben White has been playing well recently, but Timber has been the regular first choice for Arteta.
Odegaard starts in the attacking midfield role for Arsenal
CM – Martin Zubimendi – The Spanish midfielder will hope to get the better of a very impressive Chelsea midfield.
CM – Declan Rice – The debate of who is the best holding midfielder in the Premier League between Rice and Caicedo takes another chapter.
CAM – Martin Odegaard – Odegaard has been poor recently, but we think Arteta will rely on Odegaard’s experience rather than Eberechi Eze.
Noni Madueke stands in for Saka
LW – Gabriel Martinelli – Seeing as Trossard started against Leeds, we have Martinelli starting on the left-wing.
RW – Noni Madueke – Madueke comes in to play against his former team to replace Saka who has a knock.
ST – Viktor Gyokeres – Arteta could pick Havertz or Jesus here, but Gyokeres has scored in Arsenal’s last two matches.
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