Arsenal look all set to head into the World Cup break top of the Premier League table after their 1-0 weekend win at Chelsea further strengthened their outstanding start to the season.
Gabriel’s winner at Stamford Bridge made it 11 wins from 13 Premier League outings thus far, and kept Mikel Arteta’s men two points clear of champions Manchester City ahead of this weekend’s final round of fixtures before the mid-season break.
On Wednesday night, attention turns to the Carabao Cup and a potentially tricky tie against fellow Premier League side Brighton. The Seagulls arrive in north London buoyed by back-to-back wins - their first under new boss Roberto De Zerbi - having scored seven in successes over Chelsea and Wolves.
Regardless, Arteta is set to rotate - just as he has done for the most part in the Europa League so far - and that will include a return in goal for United States international Matt Turner, looking to get some minutes under his belt before heading off on international duty.
The 28-year-old, who is hoping to be the USA’s No.1 in Qatar hasn’t played since October 20 due to a groin injury but is back available. He’s set to replace Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks.
Rob Holding and Kieran Tierney are both expected to come into the defence, while Cedric Soares is hoping to make his first start to the season at right-back, with Ben White set for a rest against his former side. The decision for Arteta to make is whether William Saliba or Gabriel - who was not included in Brazil’s World Cup squad this week - will complete his back four.
In midfield, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Mohamed Elneny are ready to start, with Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey set to be rested. Club captain Martin Odegaard, whose Norway side didn’t qualify for Qatar, could keep his place, in a side that is likely to also feature Fabio Vieira.
Eddie Nketiah is expected to lead the attack, while Reiss Nelson should also start as he looks to stake a further claim for more minutes in the second half of the season.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Turner; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Lokonga, Elneny; Vieira, Nketiah, Nelson
