Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could make a host of changes for their Carabao Cup clash with Brighton, and we could see multiple academy products brought in to the starting XI.
Injuries have started to creep in for the Gunners in recent weeks, but due to their squad depth after an impressive summer transfer window, it's hardly hampered their performances. Arteta will be keen to avoid any further injury troubles, meaning we could see plenty of rotation for their game against Brighton on Wednesday evening.
Against Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend, Declan Rice and William Saliba were both substituted due to injury. It will be interesting to see if Arteta risks them in the Carabao Cup, and he could provide an update on their fitness in his press conference ahead of the game.
Four Arsenal Academy Stars Could Feature vs Brighton
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With Arteta looking to rotate his squad for the Brighton, we could see multiple academy players given an opportunity to impress. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Max Dowman, who have been involved with the senior squad at times this season, could all be given starts by Arteta.
All three have been given a reasonable number of minutes under Arteta given their age, and competitions like the Carabao Cup are ideal for them to be given starts. Another potential academy product who might be involved is Marli Salmon. Although it's unlikely that he starts or is even given minutes, Arteta could bring him into the squad for some experience.
Gabriel has recently endured injury difficulties while Saliba was substituted at the weekend, so he could provide cover while getting himself in around the squad. Arteta has been known to give these kind of opportunities to players, and Salmon has been involved in first-team training this month.
Salmon has clearly impressed Arteta enough to be promoted to senior training, and there's little risk in bringing him into the squad and giving some vital experience. That could mean four academy stars are named in Arsenal's squad against Brighton, which is an impressive and undoubtedly proud achievement for the club if it happens.
The success on the pitch in terms of their league position is, of course, incredibly important, but it's a huge positive for the north London club to be bedding in academy stars like they have been this season.