Arsenal travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening with a place in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals up for grabs.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has historically used this competition to blood youngsters. And it looks as though he is set to continue that tradition. According to the Metro, the Frenchman promoted 13 players from the youth team to senior training on Monday.
The Metro claim that Alex Iwobi, Ben Sheaf, Marcus Agyei-Tabi, Donyell Malen, Joshua Dasilva, Reiss Nelson, Ismael Bennacer, Savvas Mourgos, Glen Kamara, Matt Macey, Marc Bola, Krystian Bielike and Julio Pleguezuelo all featured in Monday’s session at London Colney.
So, how many of those kids are likely to start at Hillsborough? This is how we reckon Wenger’s men will lineup…
GK: Petr Cech
David Ospina is Arsenal’s cup keeper, but the Colombian is injured, so Cech will start. Wenger’s quotes on Arsenal’s official website confirm this: “Ospina is still out too, so Cech will certainly play.”
Under-21 stopper Macey could be on the bench.
RB: Mathieu Debuchy
The former Newcastle United right-back has been kept out of Arsenal’s starting XI by the in-form Hector Bellerin for the majority of the season, but a League Cup tie against a team from a lower division presents a perfect opportunity for him to play, with the young Spaniard taking a rest.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
Nacho Monreal has started every Premier League game so far this season, but Gibbs, who has made five appearances in other competitions, is a more-than-capable understudy.
CBs: Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers
“Mertesacker is available again after illness”, Wenger told Arsenal’s media team earlier this week. The German partnered Chambers in the 2-1 win over Spurs in the last round, so they could well team up again.
CMs: Mathieu Flamini and Glen Kamara
Wenger has major injury problems in midfield. His quotes on Arsenal’s website highlight this: “Arteta will not be fit. Ramsey, Wilshere, Welbeck and Rosicky of course are all out too.”
Flamini shone in the last round, with two goals at White Hart Lane. He should start in place of Francis Coquelin.
Wenger may well choose to rest Santi Cazorla too, with Kamara a strong candidate to replace him, due to his strong physique.
AM: Joel Campbell
The Costa Rican made a big impact at the 2014 World Cup, but he has yet to deliver in an Arsenal shirt. He should get another chance on Tuesday, but he might not get many more if he doesn’t impress.
AM: Alex Iwobi
Of all the youth players who trained on Monday, Iwobi is the one who carries the biggest reputation, having shone in pre-season. The 19-year-old nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha scored in a 6-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup this summer, so this occasion is unlikely to phase him too much.
AM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alexis Sanchez is likely to be rested, so Oxlade-Chamberlain could be Arsenal’s main man in attacking midfield.
ST: Theo Walcott
Arsenal’s longest-serving player may get the nod over Olivier Giroud because his pace makes him a perfect frontman for away trips.
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