Arsenal take on Brighton in a Carabao Cup match on Wednesday that feels somewhat of a distraction from the high-flying form in the Premier League and progression in Europe. Where the League Cup places in Mikel Arteta’s priorities is unknown but with a heavy fixture schedule already, another competition to be involved in might not attract too much attention.
That said, Arsenal could benefit from beating Brighton. The fourth round of the tournament is set to take place a few days before the Premier League returns after the World Cup and provides a competitive fixture to help prepare for the domestic restart.
Balancing rotation, fitness and competitiveness has been a task Arteta has had to juggle with Premier League and Europa League action. The football.london Arsenal writers have now had their say on who they feel should play this fixture.
READ MORE: Arsenal's next four fixtures compared to Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal Writer
In what is likely to be the final game ahead of the World Cup for many players I would look to make wholesale changes ahead of this match against Brighton if I were Mikel Arteta. Yes, keeping up the winning feeling around the club is important, but with a Premier League title race to contend with, personally, I don't think the Carabao Cup should be a priority this year.
With that in mind the fit again Matt Turner would return to the starting XI, while Cedric would get his first start of the season in front of him, with Kieran Tierney coming back in at left back while Gabriel and Rob Holding start in the middle with Takehiro Tomiyasu still a doubt.
The return of Mohamed Elneny means that Albert Sambi Lokonga will get another chance to play the left-eight role, where you'd hope he'd get forward more than he did when playing the role against FC Zurich. Meanwhile, Fabio Vieira needs to come back in at right eight as far as I'm concerned.
On the right wing, I'm giving Marquinhos a final start before what I expect to be a loan move in January (no official info there, just a hunch. Reiss Nelson meanwhile has to start on the left, and up top, I'd go for Eddie Nketiah who I think is far more effective up top than when out on the wing.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Brighton - Turner; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira; Marquinhos, Nketiah, Nelson.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Writer
I want to win this game. That needs to be made clear at the start and despite making some significant rotation I have little doubt Brighton will come in strong to try and progress in this game and Mikel Arteta needs to prepare for that.
Players like Matt Turner, Cedric Soares (who is in purely out of Takehiro Tomiyasu’s potential absence), Rob Holding, Kieran Tierney, Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny, Fabio Vieira and Eddie Nketiah need the minutes and time to play. However, a sprinkling of starting talent should provide enough for the Gunners to take the win, especially up top.
Having that fourth-round tie before the Premier League return on Boxing Day is a great opportunity that won't be afforded to all EPL sides who face one of their domestic league rivals. Chelsea and Manchester City face one another for example.
There is enough in this team to win and more can be brought on. I would like to see a particular standout performance from Lokonga though who needs to begin to take these opportunities with greater output.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Brighton – Turner; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Lokonga, Vieira; Saka; Nketiah; Martinelli
Bailey Keogh - Arsenal Writer
For the match against Brighton, I would not go for complete rotation due to the fact there are only two games remaining until the World Cup. It is also due to the World Cup that I would rest the players who are likely to play in the tournament, to give them the needed rest.
With Matt Turner’s fitness uncertain Aaron Ramsdale keeps his place between the sticks, with Cedric at right-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and Rob Holding at centre-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko should start at left back to continue his return to full fitness, so he is able to play 90 minutes against Wolves on Saturday.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka deserve a rest which means Mohammed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga come in to play alongside Martin Odegaard in the midfield three. Elneny will anchor the midfield, with Sambi Lokonga replacing Xhaka on the left-hand side.
Given it is unlikely for Gabriel Martinelli to start for Brazil compared to Bukayo Saka who is in hot contention to start for England, it means I would start the Brazilian alongside Eddie Nketiah and Reiss in the forward line.
Keogh’s Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Ramsdale; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Elneny, Sambi Lokonga; Nelson, Martinelli; Nketiah
READ NEXT:
What Neymar did as Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli's Brazil World Cup inclusion was revealed
Brazil boss Tite reveals why Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli was late World Cup squad addition
Tomiyasu, Marquinhos, Elneny: Arsenal injury news and return dates for Brighton Carabao Cup tie
Gabriel Jesus reacts to Brazil World Cup call-up as Arsenal teammate misses out on Qatar trip
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
