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Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Preston - Carabao Cup fourth round

  • Arsenal travel to Preston in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night
  • Mikel Arteta poised to unleash Hale End on Championship side
  • Bukayo Saka among the players that should earn a rest before Newcastle trip
ByJames Cormack|
Mikel Arteta will shuffle his pack for Arsenal's upcoming cup tie
Mikel Arteta will shuffle his pack for Arsenal's upcoming cup tie | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

There's Carabao Cup action to enjoy on Wednesday night with Arsenal travelling to Preston in the fourth round of the competition.

Mikel Arteta could do with some silverware at this stage of his project, and the Carabao Cup, especially with the draw they've been handed, represents a great opportunity for the Gunners to lift their first trophy since the Spaniard's debut season in 2019/20.

Victory at Deepdale will see Arteta's side into the quarter-finals of the competition.

A daunting trip to St. James' Park means the boss will rotate heavily from Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, and there's bound to be some Hale End representation in Preston. Here's the starting XI Arteta could pick on Wednesday.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Preston (4-3-3)

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri
Unleash the kids, Mikel! | Angel Martinez/GettyImages

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - Young Jack Porter got the start in the third-round win with Raya injured and Neto cup-tied, but the Spanish goalkeeper is fit and available for Wednesday's game and Arteta might not believe there's a need to rotate his number one.

Josh Nichols (RB) - The spritely full-back earned his first Arsenal start against Bolton and should be considered by Arteta on Wednesday with Jurrien Timber unlikely to feature.

Ben White (CB) - White could be replaced by William Saliba with the Frenchman available once again, but I suspect we'll see Wilo off the bench with White retaining his place at centre-back having impressed against Liverpool on Sunday,

Jakub Kiwior (CB) - With Gabriel preserved for Saturday and Riccardo Calafiori out injured, Kiwior is a shoo-in for the left centre-back position at Deepdale.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - Zinchenko has slid down the pecking order since returning from injury, but this is a good chance for the Ukrainian to re-enter the fold and perform his vintage function from left-back.

Midfielders

Jorginho (CM) - The Italian's role is diminishing, with starts unlikely to arrive in the Premier League and Champions League. However, he's a handy voice to have and he could make a rare start on Wednesday. His presence will be important for the youngsters involved.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (CM) - We've seen Lewis-Skelly impress at left-back at the start of his senior career, but Zinchenko's inclusion could allow the confident teenager to get a midfield start.

Ethan Nwaneri (CM) - Much has been made of Nwaneri's role this season, with Arteta so far taking a cautious stance over the 17-year-old's integration. He was used off the bench again on Sunday, and we should see him make his long-awaited second start for the club in midweek.

Forwards

Raheem Sterling (RW) - Bukayo Saka started the third-round win over Bolton, but surely Arteta won't utilise him here. That'd be silly. Sterling is right there for the Spaniard to make the most of.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - Jesus could really do with a goal because the time is ticking on his Arsenal career. The striker has not enjoyed the start to the season his pre-season promised.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - It's a toss-up down the left flank with Arteta set to choose between Trossard, who's played more central in Martin Odegaard's absence, and Gabriel Martinelli.

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