Arsenal will aim to end the long trophy drought and win the EFL Cup when they lock horns with Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday evening. Mikel Arteta has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Martin Odegaard [knee] and Jurrien Timber [muscular] are in contention to feature against Manchester City this weekend. The duo will face late fitness tests to determine their availability.
Mikel Merino is a long-term absentee, with the Spanish international recovering from a foot injury. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Odegaard and Timber.
The Arsenal manager said, “We have another training session [on Saturday], so the ones that are in contention hopefully can give us good news. We have another session, so let’s see if they [Odegaard and Timber] can make it.”
Meanwhile, during his press conference, Arteta also discussed whether Kepa Arrizabalaga would start in place of David Raya between the sticks. He also talked about the impact of changing goalkeepers. The Spanish tactician said, “We will see how everybody is [after training on Saturday], and then we’ll make the decision.”
The Arsenal boss added, “No, because we don’t have that feeling amongst players. We really trust our teammates and in that case especially when you work with the quality of the keepers that we have right now at Arsenal. They played at the highest level with other clubs and they have the experience to deal with any kind of situation.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga will replace David Raya between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester City on Sunday. The backline will feature Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Piero Hincapie.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi in the double pivot. Eberechi Eze will reprise the no. 10 role, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard being the two wide attackers. Finally, Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the North London club against Manchester City. So, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Odegaard will be among the backup options on the bench for the Gunners.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
