3 Arsenal players that need minutes in Carabao Cup against Brentford

Arsenal’s performance against Tottenham left plenty to be desired. The players were unusually sloppy and seemed to lack the intensity that will be needed throughout this season.

Fortunately, there is good news. They have a midweek fixture that provides an excellent opportunity to get back on track.

Given the priorities this season, the Carabao Cup is one of the few chances Mikel Arteta has to rotate his squad. Some players desperately need minutes. The lack of fit options on the bench was part of the reason Arsenal could not change the flow of the game on Sunday.

3 Arsenal players that need minutes in Carabao Cup against Brentford

Here are three players that need minutes against Brentford.

1. Reiss Nelson

Few fans will ever forget the moment Reiss Nelson scored against Bournemouth last season. Since then, and really ever since he broke onto the scene, his time at Arsenal has been hampered by injuries. Arteta, however, still sees something in him. Nelson was awarded a new contract in the past summer, indicating that he has the faith of the manager.

This season has seen him flittering on the edges of the first team. Although Arteta uses him off the bench, he has been unable to build up consistency or form. Brentford provides an excellent opportunity for him to develop both.

A fit and firing Nelson has the potential to change games from the bench. His pace, technical ability and flexibility on which wing he is deployed are valuable attributes to have. The winger will most likely start on Wednesday and it is up to him to give Arteta a welcome selection headache.

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