Hello and how are you? Wednesday the 29th of October sees a visit from the south-coasters Brighton and Hove Albion for our next match in the League Cup. Kick of at Ashburton Grove is 20.45pm central European time (7.45pm UK time). Expected weather is 9° (feels like 6°) partly cloudy and 20% chance of rain.
Our last game of October and Brighton visit for the Carabao cup match, having beaten Oxford United and Barnsley 6-0 on both occasions. However, they went down 4-2 to the resurrected Manchester United on Saturday but it should be noted have also put to the sword Newcastle and Chelsea in recent PL games but also drew with the ailing Wolves.
It perhaps has no relevance on tonight’s match but the Seagulls are in 13th place in the league. Brighton beat us(1-3) in the 22/23 League Cup (3rd) but seem to historically stumble often in the fourth round and haven’t made it to the quarter finals since 78/79.
Declan and Riccardo have been passed ‘fit’ to play despite taking knocks against Palace, Saka too, despite coming off with illness, but I’m not sure he will figure. Saliba and Martinelli will miss the game, which is leaving us a but thin up front, which means there may be a space for Max to make even more of name for himself but Ethan is probably ahead of him at least for the kick-off? Hincapie looks to make his first full start.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma (ankle), Joel Veltman (calf) or Brajan Gruda (knee) missed the game against United and are doubtful for this match too. For the long term injuries for Brighton, Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Solly March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) are all out, as is James Milner ( muscle issue).
The Gunners are unbeaten in ten, our winning streak is seven and have kept five clean sheets in all competitions.
Statto HQ sent me a letter snail mail and upon opening it it said that the Arsenal have a 63.8% chance of winning and Brighton have a 15.3% expectancy. Next up an away day at Burnley. COYG!
Mills
I think we may well see wholescale changes , maybe up to 9. I hope we do, we need to rest the big starters and give the squad players a start. Quite looking forward to it as it happens.
Pedantic George.