Mikel Arteta has the luxury of making wholesale changes to the starting lineup ahead of Arsenal's clash against Fleetwood Town in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup
Marli Salmon and Max Dowman of Arsenal during the training session on day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 at Sobha Realty Training Centre on October 20, 2026 in London Colney, England
Marli Salmon and Max Dowman during Arsenal training.(Image: Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta could make as many as eight changes to the starting lineup when Arsenal face Fleetwood Town in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The Gunners boss has the luxury of resting some big names at Highbury Stadium on Tuesday night, in anticipation of a huge clash on Sunday afternoon.
Once Arsenal lock horns with the League Two outfit, they will have just four days to recover, prepare, and travel to Merseyside ahead of what could be a season-defining fixture. Over the weekend, the Gunners managed to draw level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
Enzo Maresca's side will have the opportunity to set the pace again, hosting Brighton on Saturday. They conceded ground in the early stages of the title race last time, though, losing to Aston Villa and rolling out the red carpet for Arsenal to level proceedings.
Not only will Arteta want to leapfrog Manchester City, but he will also be aware of the threat posed by Liverpool, who could punch a ticket for the crown with a victory against the reigning champions.
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If the Spaniard can keep his powder dry on Tuesday evening, when his side face Fleetwood Town, he could be well equipped to lay down a significant marker in the race for the Premier League trophy.
So, with that being said, journalists at football.london have drafted the Arsenal starting lineup to face the Cod Army.
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Ryan Taylor
I'm expecting at least eight changes for this season, particularly with Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool on the horizon. In goal, Kepa Arrizabalaga will likely start. He messed up in last season's final but he is still regarded as the No.2 over Illan Meslier and played in the previous round against Ipswich Town.
Jurrien Timber could come back in for Ben White. If he doesn't, I would expect Timber to start at Anfield on Sunday. Marli Salmon and Cristhian Mosquera could play at the back too with Piero Hincapie in line to feature for the first time since he injured his ankle in the cool-down against Leeds.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly look set to partner each other with Declan Rice and Bruno Guimaraes poised for a rest following tough shifts at the City Ground and Allianz Arena. Ahead of them, Max Dowman will start on the right with Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze providing support for Viktor Gyokeres in attack.
Gyokeres needs to start as he needs a goal. He played well against Everton and Kai Havertz just hasn't been doing the business of late.
Ryan's starting lineup to face Fleetwood Town: Kepa; Timber, Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Merino, Eze; Gyokeres.
Jake Stokes
I'm also expecting eight or so changes to the starting lineup, in anticipation of Sunday afternoon's clash against Liverpool. If it were up to me, I would start David Raya at every opportunity, with neither Kepa Arrizabalaga nor Illan Meslier – in my opinion – at the required level, regardless of the opposition.
But I think Mikel Arteta will pounce on the opportunity to give one of his backup goalkeepers a rare chance between the sticks. At the back, the Gunners boss should field an entirely new backline, giving Ezri Konsa and Gabriel Magalhaes, in particular, a much-needed midweek break.
In the middle of the park, Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes, who both came off the bench at the weekend, should join Mikel Merino. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard are long overdue for a rest; I'd also like to see Myles Lewis-Skelly start at Anfield this weekend.
The Spaniard should make just one change to the frontline, replacing Noni Madueke with Max Dowman, while Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres remain. In an ideal world, there's another Hale End prospect who's ready to make the step up and at least come off the bench – with purpose – to replace either the Englishman or the Swede.
Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case at the moment.
Jake's starting lineup to face Fleetwood Town: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Marli Salmon, Piero Hincapie; Martin Zubimendi, Bruno Guimaraes, Mikel Merino; Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres.