Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s vital boosts ahead of West Brom clash

In years gone by, the first match Arsenal played in the EFL Cup did not hold any real significance, instead often used by Arsene Wenger as a competition to rest starters and give young and fringe players a chance to stretch their legs. Oh, how the times have changed.

Now though, the Gunners’ upcoming clash with West Brom holds great importance in order to kick start its season. Essentially Arsenal has nothing to gain and everything to lose for its trip to the Hawthorns – and that in itself is worrying.

Mikel Arteta and his side should secure a victory, but if they lose, the world will cave in on them. After starting the season with back-to-back losses and not scoring a single goal, Wednesday’s clash against the Baggies is crucial in gaining momentum for the season ahead.

Perhaps the one positive is Arsenal’s list of unavailable players has shortened dramatically. After coming off in the second half of the loss to Chelsea, Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli are in full training after both only suffered leg cramps.

Arsenal vs West Brom: Mikel Arteta’s vital boosts ahead of Carabao Cup second round clash have to result in victory or pressure mounts further

Martin Odegaard has now received full clearance and is available for Arteta to add some much-needed creativity in the forward half and Alexandre Lacazette is back in full training after recovering from COVID-19.

Elsewhere, Hector Bellerin, Willian, Alex Runarsson, and Gabriel are all in full training, although it is unlikely any will be involved.

So, after a horror start to the year, finally, it seems the cavalry is on its way. While a win over West Brom will not count for much, it will give the club a little boost of confidence as they head into a huge clash against reigning champions Manchester City.

This second round clash will most likely see Aaron Ramsdale handed his Arsenal debut while Odegaard could see some minutes along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It represents an opportunity to get some timing and rhythm to a side that has seriously lacked anything of the sort so far. While Arteta has not had his full complement of players at his disposal, it’s expected he’ll field a strong start here.

Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe will surely be rested but Arsenal needs a circuit breaker; something to breathe life into its already stuttering Premier League campaign.

The EFL Cup gives the club the chance to do just that. While the Baggies will be no pushovers, it should be a match that the Gunners win, although I say that with some trepidation after having witnessed two horror losses in a row.

It is not the fixture to make or break Arteta and Arsenal but a loss here would put a serious dent in confidence into a manager and a side that already severely lacks it. With City in just a few days after West Brom, any semblance of togetherness, shape and structure is critical.

Players are slowly returning and I for one am looking forward to seeing Ramsdale prove his worth and Odegaard pick up where he left off last year. It is only a cup game, but this already feels like this result has huge ramifications for the club.

Win and the mood is lifted somewhat, lose and, well, it can’t get any worse. Can it?