Arsenal had made a really poor start to their 2021/22 campaign but slowly they are getting things back on track. Mikel Arteta has managed to stabilize the ship and last week, the Gunners picked up their fourth win of the league beating Aston Villa.
Arsenal have not tasted defeat in their previous five league games and with this confidence, they will now face Leeds United in the Round of 16 of the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners have really upped their performance in the previous few weeks and with an almost fully fit squad to choose from, Mikel Arteta will be really invested in this Carabao Cup game since this is a big chance for the club to win a silverware this season.
The manager will be itching to keep the same starting line up from the Aston Villa game but Arsenal have a massive EPL game against Leicester City coming up so Mikel Arteta will have to rotate his squad and rest some of his first-team regulars.
Arsenal team news vs Leeds United:
Aaron Ramsdale has become the No 1 for Arsenal but the summer signing is going to move to the bench since Arteta has the perfect backup keeper in the form of Bernd Leno.
Ben White and Gabriel have been playing almost every week so this is the ideal chance for the manager to rest the pair. The boss has backup defenders like Rob Holding and Pablo Mari and there’s a chance that both of them will come into the first XI.
Keiran Tierney missed the Aston Villa game due to a bruised left ankle and he is not going to be risked this week either. This means 21-year-old Nuno Tavares will hold onto his place.
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Cedric Soares is also expected to replace Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back.
Granit Xhaka is still on the sidelines with an injury so ideally, Lokonga should be pairing up with Thomas Partey but we expect Elneny to replace the summer signing.
Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah will be pushing for starts but we don’t think the manager will rest both Lacazette and Aubameyang against a team like Leeds United.
Lacazette has played very little football this season so he’s comparatively fresher which is why he could be the one who holds onto his place. Against Villa, the Frenchman played as a No 10 but on Tuesday he should be moving up front as Martin Odegaard comes back into the side.
Gabriel Martinelli, if he starts, will occupy the left flank with Nicolas Pepe replacing Bukayo Saka on the other side. Emile Smith Rowe will get a much-deserved rest.
Stats via Fotmob
