Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Brom: Ramsdale & Odegaard debuts?

What better way to distract from the weekly agony of Premier League football than to play some more football in a different competition? On the agenda next for Arsenal is a Carabao Cup second round clash against West Brom at the Hawthorns – and here is the predicted lineup.

Defeat to Chelsea ensured Arsenal got the 2021/22 campaign off to a historic start, with no goals and no points from their opening first two fixtures being the worst beginning to a league season in their history.

Hoping to turn a corner, or at least instill some much-needed confidence, ahead of a daunting trip to champions Manchester City, entering the Carabao Cup at the second round stage could be the ideal platform to do so.

Hardly a mouth-watering tie, the fact that it’s a decent level of opposition has the potential to lift the mood and keep Mikel Arteta‘s side in the right frame of mind to start turning results around.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs West Brom: Aaron Ramsdale & Martin Odegaard to make their debuts in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup second round clash

The number of absentees through a combination of COVID-19 and injury hasn’t helped this term’s rocky start to life and therefore the returns of some familiar faces will be music to the manager’s ears.

Gabriel, Alex Runarsson and Alexandre Lacazette have both returned to training after their respective absences, while the knocks suffered to both Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli were, thankfully, only cramp related. They’re also back in training.

Thomas Partey (ankle), Eddie Nketiah (ankle), Ben White (COVID-19) and Hector Bellerin (thigh but probably nothing and instead working on being fit and moving clubs) are all confirmed to be out.

With Martin Odegaard securing his visa and Aaron Ramsdale ready for action, could there be two (one and a half-ish) debuts on Wednesday night?

We’ll have to wait and see.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – It has to be. Having forked out a fee that could rise to £30m on Ramsdale, his debut is sure to come around on Wednesday in precisely the sort of fixtures he’ll be given to prove himself worthy of a starting berth in the Premier League.

Never before will fans have stared so intently at someone’s feet.

Calum Chambers (RB) – Using three right-backs from the start in the previous three matches, Cedric got the nod against Chelsea and Bellerin is out (apparently), meaning it looks set to be Chambers in from the start in this one.

Rob Holding (CB) – This pairing is exactly who you’d have expected to be starting in this match, but not out of necessity and instead due to rotation. However, with White still out with COVID-19 and Gabriel not fit, there isn’t much in the way of options.

Pablo Mari (CB) – Having an absolute mare, isn’t he? Some desperately atrocious displays through pre-season and into competitive action have sent shivers down supporters’ spines. Until Gabriel returns, however, there isn’t much else going. Chambers could come into the heart of defence but Mari needs all the confidence he can get, so may get the nod.

Nuno Tavares (LB) – Fortunately Tierney was not severely injured on the weekend and will be fit to feature against West Brom on Wednesday.

But no! Oh wait! Arsenal have another left-back!

And, you know what, Nuno has looked alright so far. Will be interesting watching him in this one to see if he’s given similar freedom to his Scottish teammate in the advanced lines of attack.