West Brom vs Arsenal Carabao Cup preview: How to watch, predicted lineups & injuries updates

Ross Kennerley

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 02: (L-R) Bukayo Saka of Arsenal reacts as he is substituted alongside teammates Rob Holding, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Pablo Mari during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on January 02, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal, Bukayo Saka — West Brom vs Arsenal: Carabao Cup second round preview with two potential debuts for Mikel Arteta to hand out on Wednesday evening. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal are in midweek action on Wednesday as they travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Here is the match preview.

Uncharted territory! This competition, undoubtedly the least appealing of all Arsenal enter, is starting off this time around in the second round stage. No third round privileges.

In truth, it’s most welcome. Falling to a 2-0 top-flight defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, the prospect of having another fixture come about that is at least on paper more winnable presents Mikel Arteta with the chance to pick a few dispirited heads up off the floor.

A sombre mood fills the Emirates air and with Manchester City to come next in the Premier League, having something else come around before then to provide some respite ensures the inevitable hammering that will arrive at the Etihad can be mentally postponed.

West Brom vs Arsenal: Carabao Cup preview with two potential debuts for Mikel Arteta to hand out on Wednesday evening

Fresh from relegation to the second tier, being drawn with West Brom is near enough the most dull and tasteless fixture that could have been coughed up: no exciting lower league side or trip to a new away ground for the supporters. Nope. It’s West Brom.

Groans of disappointment at the initial announcement might be slightly altered given the events of the past two weeks, though.

Indeed, a team of relative quality ensures this won’t be a stroll in the park with players putting in half-hearted performances (not that they ever should) and victory away at Championship opposition could also provide a confidence boost that can’t be bought at present.

Unbeaten in their opening four league fixtures and sitting second in the table, Valérien Ismaël’s side will be no pushovers.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 25 August
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? The Hawthorns
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? David Webb

Continued…

Arsenal, Gabriel Martinelli — LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal reacts as he appears to be injured during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

West Brom vs Arsenal Team News – Martin Odegaard Debut?

The hand Arteta has been dealt so far this season is a shoddy one. He’s been given a 2 and a 7 offsuit.

Not only is he missing players through COVID-19, further injuries have added to those already on the sidelines as the worst possible start to the campaign continues to unravel in worrying fashion.

Certain absentees for Wednesday are Thomas Partey (ankle), Gabriel (knee), Eddie Nketiah (ankle) Alexandre Lacazette (Covid), Alex Runarsson (Covid) and Ben White (Covid).

Willian could return but it’s unlikely, while Kieran Tierney suffered a quad strain against Chelsea and the diagnosis of his problem is yet to be revealed. Nonetheless, an appearance on Wednesday would be a surprise.

On the positive side, Gabriel Martinelli was withdrawn and that was merely an issue with cramp, so he should be back.

What could change? Well, a debut for Aaron Ramsdale looks certain to happen while Martin Odegaard could make his second debut for the club as it appears he will have received his visa in time to be part of the squad.

As for West Brom, defender Matt Clarke is the only expected absentee after suffering a hamstring strain in the recent meeting with Blackburn

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Arsenal, Aaron Ramsdale — SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Aaron Ramsdale of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Birmingham City at Bramall Lane on August 7, 2021 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Arsenal Carabao Cup Predicted Lineup to Face West Brom

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tavares; Maitland-Niles, Elneny; Nelson, Odegaard, Pepe; Balogun

West Brom: Button; Kipre, Ajayi, Bartley; Furlong, Mowatt, Livermore, Reach; Phillips, Grant, Diangana

Arsenal Score Prediction vs West Brom

Arsenal need a win. It’s as simple as that.

Nobody will shed a flood of tears if Arsenal exit this competition in the latter stages should superior Premier League opposition come knocking, but in the second round stage against a Championship side with all the ongoings at present? Yeah, the knives will be out.

Sadly for Arteta, the team that finished the Chelsea game will be near enough the team he will be forced to field on Wednesday.

Starts for Miguel Azeez and Kido Taylor-Hart would be welcome but with the Under-23 side playing Tottenham two days later it might be that they earn minutes later on in proceedings.

It will be a fabulous opportunity for Folarin Balogun who will likely lead the line, while Aaron Ramsdale also looks set to earn his first Premier League appearance in red and white. Odegaard could also be in from the off.

Due to the severity of the situation at present, if Arteta can’t get his side fired up for this one then whatever pressure he may have felt he was under previously will be nothing by comparison to the full-time whistle after defeat.

Even with a depleted squad, Arsenal should have enough to reach the next round. Unlike the winterland stroll of last season, drained confidence levels won’t make this tie as clear cut. It could be a close affair.

Score Prediction: West Brom 1-2 Arsenal