Arsenal Face Brighton with Key Players Sidelined: Carabao Cup Lineup Shake-Up Looms
Arsenal are targeting their seventh consecutive victory on Wednesday evening, having maintained clean sheets in their last five matches.
The Gunners' resolute defensive display and exceptional set-piece execution have secured them a four-point advantage at the Premier League summit, with Mikel Arteta viewing the Carabao Cup as an opportunity for his squad to claim silverware and enhance their prospects of securing more prestigious trophies by the conclusion of the 2025–26 campaign.
Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Arsenal in their Carabao Cup encounter during the 2022–23 season, when Mikel Arteta's team first established themselves as championship challengers, though the Spanish manager lacked the squad depth he currently commands.
Arteta has the flexibility to rotate extensively from the lineup that narrowly defeated Crystal Palace on Sunday while still fielding an XI brimming with talent. Here's the potential Arsenal formation against Brighton in Wednesday evening's fourth round clash.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Brighton (4-3-3)
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga—David Raya maintains his grip on the number one position, leaving Kepa's opportunities this campaign restricted to domestic cup competitions, unless injury intervenes.
RB: Ben White—Jurriën Timber's impressive performances have kept White out of the starting eleven this season, but the Dutch defender could be rested following his extended run since the Port Vale victory.
CB: Cristhian Mosquera—William Saliba represents one of the few current injury worries for the Gunners, and Arteta need not risk the French defender on Wednesday with Mosquera available as cover.
CB: Piero Hincapié—Arsenal didn't acquire Hincapié on transfer deadline day for a peripheral role. An injury has restricted him to a solitary appearance thus far, but he could feature from kickoff under the north London floodlights.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly—Riccardo Calafiori has dominated the Premier League minutes at left-back, yet Lewis-Skelly remains very much in contention. He should step in for the potentially injured Italian.
CM: Eberechi Eze—Eze proved decisive in Sunday's tight encounter, netting against his previous club. Arteta may choose to maintain Arsenal's central creative force for the midweek fixture.
CM: Christian Nørgaard—The robust Danish midfielder has also featured sparingly since his arrival, but it's logical for Martín Zubimendi to receive some rest before a potentially challenging weekend trip to Burnley.
CM: Mikel Merino—Declan Rice doesn't require exposure to risk, with Mikel Merino prepared to press relentlessly and dominate aerial duels on Wednesday evening.
RW: Ethan Nwaneri—Bukayo Saka was unwell before the Crystal Palace triumph, so might start from the substitutes' bench midweek. With Noni Madueke unavailable, Arteta will probably choose between Nwaneri or Max Dowman.
ST: Viktor Gyökeres—The manager's attacking options remain somewhat restricted, particularly if Gabriel Martinelli is sidelined. Therefore, the summer signing, who ended a nine-match goalless streak last week but failed to score again at the weekend, could retain his starting position.
LW: Leandro Trossard—Martinelli's possible injury creates an opportunity for Trossard to maintain his position in the attacking line on the left flank.
