Arsenal are vying for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, with fellow Premier League heavyweights Brighton standing in their way. The Gunners are competing on four fronts this season, trying to win silverware in every competition, and Mikel Arteta will want to break their drought at Wembley in March.
However, this cup tie is the second of three matches in a six-day stretch, likely forcing Arteta into a number of changes. He will make some due to injuries picked up in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, with centre-back Gabriel thought to be among the several players unavailable.
Here, Express Sport takes a look at how we would line up against Brighton…
Archie Griggs
Arsenal will be without Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba due to injuries, meaning a new-look central defensive partnership will be required.
As a result, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie should come into the side while Christian Norgaard will be hoping for a run-out in midfield.
Mikel Merino could return to his makeshift striker role if Viktor Gyokeres is rested, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz still sidelined.
Teenage sensation Max Dowman is a contender to be included in the squad but is likely to settle for a place on the bench.
Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Norgaard, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Merino.
Jack McEachen
Viktor Gyokeres will be desperate to get one over on the club that he couldn’t make it at.
There will be lingering concerns to rest the only fit out-and-out striker at the club, but maintaining his strong form is also key.
A new back five could come in entirely, partially due to doubts over Gabriel, Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori, but such is Arsenal’s strength in depth that the incomings look extremely strong.
Arsenal will hope to give the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman some minutes to continue their development also.
Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Merino, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.
Tom Parsons
Arteta is likely to overhaul his team to give fringe players a chance to show what they can do. The Gunners will still be the overwhelming favourites to progress even without their strongest starting XI.
The likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White and Nwaneri will be bitterly disappointed if they don’t start, while goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga should be kept match sharp with a rare outing.
Further forward, Arteta might be tempted to give Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard and Gyokeres another run out together as the forward line has hardly been firing on all cylinders in the league in recent weeks.
Arsenal XI: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.