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Arsenal vs Blackpool: Predicted starting XI in Round of 16

ByJosh Sippie|
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on August 25, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Arsenal’s unbeaten run will look to extend to thirteen as they face Blackpool in the Football League Cup. Here is how the Gunners should line up.

Arsenal, Danny Welbeck
Arsenal, Danny Welbeck(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s win streak may have ended, but they still haven’t tasted defeat in months, and it feels damn good to be a Gooner. As they step into the midweek fixture against League One side Blackpool, they will have to like their odds of taking a hardy win into a tough weekend fixture against Liverpool.

Given that Liverpool is looming, it’s unlikely that Unai Emery will use anyone that isn’t completely necessary, as he’ll be keen to keep everyone fresh and fit in a match that will test the progress of the Gunners like no other previous match.

That said, I still expect there to be a healthy veteran presence, especially for guys looking to get back into fitness, particularly in the defensive side of things, where I have no idea what will happen because injuries and looming Liverpool cast everything into jeopardy.

Still, I’ll endeavor to do my best, so let’s get into who may be making appearances. We will start where we always do, in goal.

Keeper

Normally, this position would have a bit more question surrounding it, seeing as how both Bernd Leno and Petr Cech are healthy, not to mention Emi Martinez has to be dying to get onto a pitch at some point and prove that Cech isn’t needed after all.

But there really isn’t any doubt that Cech will get the start here. Many suspected that, with Leno starting against Sporting CP with Cech available, that Cech would therefore take over Premier League duties again against Crystal Palace, but that wasn’t the case. Leno held onto the role, leaving Cech on the bench.

If Cech wasn’t going to start against Palace, he probably isn’t going to start against Liverpool either, and seeing as how Leno gave no great reason for Cech to all of a sudden take the starting role, it stands to reason that Cech will be commandeering things here against Blackpool.

Alright, the easy part is out of the way. Now let’s get into the part where I predict that Emery will opt for a 3-4-3 solely so that he can avoid having to figure out what to do with fullbacks.