Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sunderland: Balogun in 4-2-3-1?

Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian Norgaard (L) challenges Arsenal's English striker Folarin Balogun (R) during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Arsenal at Brentford Community Stadium in London on August 13, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Forwards

Nicolas Pepe (RW) – Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Pepe does in fact exist and fans will be reminded of that on Tuesday for what looks set to be his first start in any competition for nearly two months. He played the full 90 minutes in the previous round of the EFL Cup.

Eddie Nketiah (ST) – With centre-forward options slim at the minute following Aubamayeng’s banishment to solitary training, Nketiah looks set to get the nod at centre-forward with Lacazette in need of his own breather.

Having scored in both previous rounds of the competition, the soon-to-be-gone Nketiah is firmly in the shop window on the night.

Folarin Balogun (LW) – Arsenal Under-23’s aren’t due to play again until January 10 and with that freedom there is no reason why Balogun shouldn’t be involved on Tuesday.

Set to join Championship opposition in the January transfer window anyway, the striker has more than enough ability to tear League One sides to shreds, even out on the left where he is frighteningly dangerous.

Next. Arsenal vs Sunderland preview. dark

Martinelli and Saka have to take a backseat and this forward line should be enough for Arsenal to secure their win.

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