Arsenal take on Fleetwood Town in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup tonight
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players face Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal players face Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup
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Mikel Arteta has made NINE changes to his Arsenal side for the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Fleetwood Town.
The Gunners travel to Highbury Stadium tonight for the cup clash and, having seen his team comfortably beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League last weekend, the boss has decided to rest some big-name players.
Among those given a chance to shine against the lower league opposition is Max Dowman and Marli Salmon, while captain Martin Odegaard has been given a rest.
Confirmed team
Starting line-up: Meslier; Timber, Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman; O'Neill, Havertz, Gyokeres
Substitutes: Kepa, White, Odegaard, Eze, Konsa, Guimaraes, Harriman-Annous, Washington, Hashi
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Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta warned Arsenal’s standards must remain “through the roof” to avoid a Carabao Cup upset away to League Two side Fleetwood.
The Gunners manager says the reputation and pride of the Premier League champions are on the line when they take part in the fourth-round tie at Highbury Stadium.
Arteta’s side lost 2-1 to Championship club Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals last season and were beaten 1-0 by second-tier side Nottingham Forest in the third round of that competition in 2022.
During his playing days, the Spaniard was an unused substitute when Arsenal suffered a shock penalty shootout loss to fourth-division outfit Bradford in the League Cup quarter-finals under Arsene Wenger in the 2012-13 campaign.
“We all had one at some stage and we know the risk,” Arteta said of the potential for an upset. “In football things can get very equal the moment you are able to match certain things, and that’s why our basics and habits have to be through the roof to be able to win again.”
Arsenal moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City thanks to Saturday’s routine 2-0 victory over Everton and have won 11 of 13 fixtures in all competitions this term.
Asked how he will motivate his players to face a team sitting 18th in League Two, Arteta replied: “Show them the Arsenal shirt and what we represent, and that’s it.
“We need to go there and win the game, that’s it. It’s very simple. Our reputation, our pride, everything is in play.
“Every time you play a football match and, especially against a team in a different division, respect the game, respect every opponent because they deserve that, and then try to win and try to play a bit better than them.”