Arsenal travel to Fleetwood Town tonight for their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie, with Mikel Arteta making nine changes to his starting XI. The Gunners will aim to reach the quarter-finals for the third consecutive year when they face the League Two side at Highbury Stadium.
The match kicks off at 8pm, with Arsenal looking to continue their cup run against lower-league opposition.
Recent form
Fleetwood have reached the fourth round after beating Chesterfield, Shrewsbury Town and Championship side Sheffield United. An own goal from Rhys Norrington-Davies helped them secure their place in the last 16.
However, Fleetwood have won just three matches this season and only one of their last eight. They have kept clean sheets throughout their Carabao Cup run, though, and will hope to make life difficult for the visitors.
Arsenal have a good record against fourth tier opposition. They have won eight of nine previous games against such teams. The only time they have failed to move forward was against Bradford City in 2012, where they were defeated on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Arteta has placed great emphasis on showing respect for Fleetwood but also ensuring the Gunners play to their usual high standards. Matt Lawlor has been encouraging his players to enjoy the occasion and not be overwhelmed by a bigger opposition team.
Team news and confirmed line-ups
Arteta has made nine changes for the trip to Fleetwood, with goalkeeper Illan Meslier and 18-year-old Ceadach O’Neill making their Arsenal debuts.
Meslier, who joined the club in the summer, starts in goal. Jurrien Timber plays at right-back, with Marli Salmon, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie completing the defence.
Martin Zubimendi partners Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield. Max Dowman starts on one wing, with debutant O’Neill on the opposite flank. Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres complete the starting XI.
Dowman comes into the game having netted twice against Ipswich Town in the last round and will be hoping to put in another man of the match display to help Arsenal through to the quarter-finals.
Arsenal confirmed the starting XI: Meslier, Timber, Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, O’Neill, Havertz, and Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, White, Odegaard, Eze, Konsa, Guimaraes, Harriman-Annous, Washington, Hashi.
Andy Cannon is back in training and will be available for selection for Fleetwood. However, Lawlor will look to manage his minutes. Finley Potter is also available, but Kane Thompson-Sommers and Will Johnson are both injured and unavailable.
Players to watch
Eberechi Eze is one of Arsenal’s impact subs, having played a part in seven goals in his last four appearances in the League Cup against non-Premier League opposition. He has scored twice and created five goals.
Dowman is another one to look out for after his performance against Ipswich. The 16-year-old scored twice in the last round and will be looking to build on that.
Fleetwood could be a threat with their high press and set pieces. Mark Helm has created the most chances with 23, but their attacking trio of Ronan Coughlan and Ched Evans could cause problems.
How to watch Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
The game will be played at Highbury Stadium and kick off at 8pm UK time. It’ll be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
If the scores are tied after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to penalties. The Carabao Cup Quarter Final draw will take place on Wednesday evening.
We’ll have a full match report for you once the game has finished.
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