Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Ham – Carabao Cup
Arsenal supporters enjoyed a serene afternoon on Saturday as the hapless Sheffield United came to town.
The title chasing Gunners swatted aside their dire, injury-riddled visitors 5-0 thanks to Eddie Nketiah’s maiden Premier League hat-trick as they maintained their unbeaten start to the domestic campaign.
While Mikel Arteta harbours hopes of beating Manchester City to the Premier League crown, Arsenal’s best chance of silverware this season surely arrives in the form of the Carabao Cup. The Gunners into the fourth round after beating Brentford 1-0 away from home, and they’ve got another tricky away trip after being drawn against West Ham.
Arteta has plenty to ponder in teams of team selection with Arsenal visiting Newcastle on Saturday, and here’s the XI he could pick for Wednesday’s cup tie.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – With David Raya usurping Ramsdale in the pecking order, the former Sheffield United stopper should get his starts in this competition.
RB: Ben White – Arteta’s options are limited at right-back, so White could continue in the side after earning some respite on Saturday.
CB: Takehiro Tomiyasu – Tomiyasu has proven his competence at centre-back for the national team, and has previously impressed in a central position for the Gunners. William Saliba should get a rest and Tomi is a sure bet to start.
CB: Gabriel – The Brazilian was an unused substitute at the weekend but he was utilised by Arteta in the previous round at Brentford.
LB: Jakub Kiwior – Given Oleksandr Zinchenko’s fitness vulnerabilities, it’s unlikely that he’ll be risked on Wednesday which means the versatile Kiwior could take up the inverted left-back role.
DM: Jorginho – Declan Rice surely won’t start against his former club, and Thomas Partey’s absence means the experienced Italian should get another run out at the base of midfield.
CM: Emile Smith Rowe – Arsenal supporters got their long-awaited wish on Saturday as Arteta handed Smith Rowe his first Premier League start of the season. The England Under-21 international has so far been bright during his cameo appearances this term and should get another Carabao Cup start.
CM: Fabio Vieira – The diminutive playmaker added to his goal tally against Sheffield United by converting from the spot. We haven’t seen much from Vieira at the start of his second season, but he could get a chance to impress in east London.
RW: Reiss Nelson – Arteta’s insistence on running Bukayo Saka into the ground means the English superstar may well start again on Wednesday. Surely common sense will prevail and Nelson earns a rare start.
ST: Kai Havertz – Hat-trick hero Nketiah will be preserved for Saturday, so we could see Havertz deployed up top for the first time since Arsenal’s Community Shield triumph.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Gabriel Martinelli has usurped Trossard in the depth chart since coming back from injury, but the Belgian should return to the side on Wednesday with Martinelli needed at St. James‘ Park.