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.

Midfielders

Mohamed Elneny (CM) – Albert Sambi Lokonga has now fully usurped Elneny in the pecking order to widespread jubilation, meaning West Brom away on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup second round is exactly the sort of fixtures the Egyptian’s presence in the squad is there for.

There are murmurs of a late exit for Elneny, however.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (CM) – This may be his final outing for Arsenal on what was his previous home for six months last season.

Playing in midfield throughout pre-season but not used in either Premier League fixture, it’s clear what role Arteta sees Maitland-Niles playing this season. However, should he go then it leaves just four senior midfielders to choose from for 2021/22, two of which are off to AFCON.

That’s….surely not going to happen, right? And if Elneny does go by some chance then AMN is certain to stay.

Martin Odegaard (AM) – Back in red and white and with a brand new number, Odegaard’s permanent signing is one many supporters are bizarrely not fully on board with.

Yet.

Seeing him injury free and playing week in week out in the flesh, those feelings will change. For £5m after factoring in Joe Willock’s sale, this is a brilliant piece of business. Emile Smith Rowe should get a rest and Odegaard will get the nod. Something to lift the fans.

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (LW) – Had a fairly decent first half against Chelsea but was limited by some poor attacking movement in front of him. Has looked sharp though, and if featured as expected will be one of the senior players in the starting lineup who needs to put in a shift to prove to the manager he deserves to keep his slot in the Premier League.

Folarin Balogun (ST) – This is a brilliant opportunity for Balogun. Already playing more than anticipated, leading the line on Wednesday against Championship opposition will be the perfect tonic to what has been two fixtures in which systematic issues and far superior opposition have limited his output.

An exciting player to watch in this one. Arteta might feel it’s too soon for either Aubameyang or Lacazette.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) – With Saka and Smith Rowe sure to be rested and Willian on his way out of the door, this could have been an opportunity for Nelson to have one final chance to put himself in the shop window ahead of the August 31 deadline.

However, Arteta will be somewhat reluctant to field him for fears of suffering an injury as he tries to move him on, therefore the currently misfiring Martinelli, who is available for selection, could get the nod.