Mikel Arteta faces a pivotal moment in Arsenal's season as his side prepares to lock horns with London rivals Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday evening. The quest for a first trophy with this current Gunners squad adds significant weight to the encounter at Stamford Bridge.
Injury Concerns Cloud Arsenal's Preparations
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta delivered concerning news regarding two key players. Both Leandro Trossard and defender William Saliba are major doubts for the clash after picking up recent knocks. The manager confirmed their status, stating simply, "Those two are a doubt."
The potential absence of Saliba is a particular blow given Arsenal's existing defensive crisis. Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie, and Cristhian Mosquera are all confirmed to remain sidelined. While Gabriel has returned to fitness, he may be partnered by Christian Norgaard if Saliba fails to recover.
Trossard's potential unavailability also robs Arsenal of a crucial creative force. The Belgian forward, linked with a summer exit, has been in superb form this campaign, contributing seven goals and six assists across all competitions.
Major Selection Decisions for Arteta to Ponder
In attack, Gabriel Martinelli is the prime candidate to replace Trossard should he miss out. The Brazilian winger arrives in good spirits after scoring a hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Portsmouth, despite recent controversy.
The most significant call, however, may concern striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish international's form has dipped, with just one goal in his last ten appearances—a penalty against Everton. Arteta must decide whether to keep faith with his £64million signing or turn to Gabriel Jesus for such a critical fixture.
In goal, cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to retain his place, having started every domestic cup match this season, with David Raya waiting in the wings.
Predicted Lineup Shows Extensive Changes
With one eye on Premier League commitments and the need to navigate a two-legged tie, Arteta is predicted to make seven changes to his starting eleven. The expected lineup in a 4-3-3 formation is:
- Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Defence: Ben White, William Saliba (if fit), Gabriel, Jurrien Timber
- Midfield: Martin Odegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice
- Attack: Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli
The winner of this semi-final will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United at Wembley, making this London derby a crucial step towards ending Arsenal's wait for silverware under Arteta's current project.
