MX23RW : Monday, October 28 12:18:03| >> :120:8201:8201:
[monks data]
Preston North End logo
EFL Cup | Round of 16
Oct 30, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Deepdale
Arsenal logo

Preston
vs.
Arsenal

Arsenal lineup vs. Preston: Predicted XI for EFL Cup last-16 clash

Another debutant for Arteta? How Arsenal could line up against Preston
© Imago
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Arsenal could line up for Wednesday's EFL Cup last-16 clash with Preston North End.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will be expected to ring the changes for Wednesday's EFL Cup last-16 contest versus Preston North End at Deepdale.

The Gunners arrive at the home of their Championship counterparts with two new defensive concerns, as both Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber were forced off in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

The pair may not be nursing anything severe, but for the time being, they join Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Martin Odegaard (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) in the treatment room.

Arteta cannot call upon cup-tied goalkeeper Neto either, and the Brazilian's absence for the 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers allowed 16-year-old Jack Porter to make history as Arsenal's youngest starter of all time.

However, Porter should now make way for another teenage debutant, as summer signing Tommy Setford was not available for the visit of the Trotters due to injury but should now be given his Gunners baptism.

The 18-year-old could be protected by a makeshift defence comprising two other youth products in Myles Lewis-Skelly and Josh Nichols, as well as Jakub Kiwior and William Saliba, now back from a one-game ban.

Ethan Nwaneri - who scored twice against Bolton - is also a surefire starter in the middle alongside Jorginho and Declan Rice, but if the latter needs a break, Arteta could move Lewis-Skelly into a central area and promote Oleksandr Zinchenko to left-back.

Changes are also afoot up front, where Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling should replace Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, but Gabriel Martinelli may hold his place as he seeks a confidence-boosting goal.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Setford; Nichols, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice; Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli

> Click here to see how Preston could line up for this clash

ID:556649:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4970:No Data Analysis info
Data Failed

Who will win Wednesday's EFL Cup clash between Preston and Arsenal?

Preston North End
Arsenal
Preston North End
53.8%
Arsenal
46.2%
13
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on October 23, 2024
Read Next:
"He could not run" - Arteta delivers injury update on key Arsenal defender
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!