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Arsenal have a glorious chance to put their name in the hat for the EFL Cup semi-finals as they host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. Here is the predicted lineup.
The draw has been kind to Mikel Arteta’s side. While the benefits of no European football have aided this young squad’s fitness, even being drawn against League One opposition will help during this hectic festive schedule.
Fielding the same side in the Premier League for four matches running – the first time that’s happened since May 2015 – hinted that the manager is confident his team has the squad depth to rotate heavily for this match and still win.
As he should do. It’s a big gulf in class between these two and Arsenal boast the home advantage, regardless of whether Sunderland are up challenging for the League One title and subsequent promotion to the Championship.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sunderland: Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe to come in for EFL Cup quarter-final?
The question is how much will the manage rotate?
Fingers are crossed that no more positive COVID-19 tests come to light as two players who’d have been set to feature in this one, Pablo Mari and Sambi Lokonga, had already caught the virus in the build-up to the Leeds match and will not be available for this one.
Takehiro Tomiyasu was the only player to suffer some form of injury from the recent 4-1 win, but while it was only precautionary it’s highly unlikely he would have featured in this anyway.
Eddie Nketiah and Nicolas Pepe will be vying for minutes, as will Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with it also expected some of the players who featured up at Elland Road may be asked to play again.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Bernd Leno (GK) – Had spent a while out of action with injury, a setback that saw Arthur Okonkwo feature on the bench in the league. He’s back now though and due to start.
Cedric Soares (RB) – Having been fourth choice right-back and third choice left-back at one stage last season, Cedric is now firmly the first in line when Tomiyasu doesn’t feature.
Calum Chambers (CB) – It’s slim pickings in central defence after the first choice two prepare to drop out, and with others unavailable Chambers stands a good chance of coming in for Benjamin White who’s played more minutes than anyone else this season.
Rob Holding (CB) – Mari would be a certainty to start this one were it not for him having COVID, and with Gabriel also needing a rest it could be Holding to come in on the left of central defence where he’s featured this season.
Nuno Tavares (LB) – A player to get excited about when his name is on the team sheet, pre-match expectations are that he will be mostly everywhere except for at left-back.
Continued on next page…
Midfielders
Mohamed Elneny (CM) – Domestic cup action on the horizon? Better call Mo.
These matches are why Elneny is here this season (apart from Old Trafford, of course) and with Sambi Lokonga out it is almost certain he’ll come into midfield.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (CM) – Thomas Partey will need a breather at some stage and Xhaka will too, therefore there is no better opportunity to bring Maitland-Niles back into the fold having become a peripheral figure in the league of late.
Emile Smith Rowe (AM) – Back in the team and back down the middle. Even if Arsenal are facing League One opposition for the second time in the EFL Cup, Arteta’s unwillingness to blood youngsters against AFC Wimbledon means he’s even less likely to do that now.
Smith Rowe has been on the bench in the previous few Premier League outings but should be in from the start here.
Continued on next page…
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.
Martinelli and Saka have to take a backseat and this forward line should be enough for Arsenal to secure their win.