Mikel Arteta goes with a perhaps surprisingly strong side to face Oxford United. Arteta still makes seven changes from the team that drew with Newcastle United in the first dropped points since the 1-1 draw with Southampton but the forward line remains unchanged.
Arsenal know that a win tonight will see them progress further than they managed last season when they lost to Nottingham Forest. The reward for doing so is an end-of-January test away at Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta spoke of the importance of the competition to the club in the lead up to the game but ultimately the Arsenal manager will hope to see his side come through unscathed. Any injuries ahead of the North London Derby would be a nightmare scenario.
