After a week of drama and high-profile encounters, Arsenal will be hoping for a low-key and straightforward affair when they host Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday.
The League One outfit travel to north London in the third round of the Carabao Cup and Mikel Arteta is likely to make a host of changes to his Arsenal team after some intense matches. Injuries and suspensions only make the Spaniard’s job more challenging.
Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are still missing in midfield for the Gunners and Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney are all missing from the defence. With Leandro Trossard suspended after his red card against Manchester City, it will hardly be a surprise if we see a youthful lineup midweek.
Here is how Arsenal could line up against Bolton.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Bolton (4-3-3)
GK: Jack Porter – With back-up goalkeeper Neto cup-tied and both David Raya and Tommy Setford potentially unfit, 16-year-old Porter could make his debut.
RB: Ben White – White was a surprise omission from the side that faced Man City at the weekend but he did enter the fray after half-time with Arsenal down to ten men. He should return to the starting XI on Wednesday given his side’s injury concerns at full-back.
CB: Maldini Kacurri – With William Saliba and Gabriel due a well-earned rest, 18-year-old Kacurri could be offered a first Arsenal appearance. The Albanian has been on the bench in a few of the Gunners’ recent fixtures and simply has to be a great defender given his first name.
CB: Jakub Kiwior – There was significant speculation regarding Kiwior’s future over the summer but Arteta will be relieved to have him around at the moment. The defender played his first minutes for Arsenal this season off the bench against City.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly – The versatile 17-year-old made an incredibly late cameo on Sunday at the Etihad and actually earned his first Premier League booking before he had even come on. The highly-rated youngster could help ease Arsenal’s left-back issues.
DM: Jorginho – With a number of fresh faces likely to earn minutes against Bolton, the experienced Jorginho will be tasked with leading by example. Likely to start in defensive midfield, he may have to act as an on-field coach for some young teammates in the engine room.
CM: Ethan Nwaneri – The Premier League’s youngest debutant could earn a start on Wednesday. The 17-year-old has a bright future and can add some attacking spark from midfield in place of Odegaard and Kai Havertz.
CM: Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand – The 21-year-old featured several times for Arsenal during summer friendlies and is one of the club’s most impressive young midfielders in the academy. He could make his debut against Bolton.
RW: Bukayo Saka – After being taken off at half-time against Man City as Arteta changed shape, Saka should be relatively fresh on Wednesday. Arsenal are still missing someone capable of naturally filling in for their attacking talisman.
ST: Gabriel Jesus – The Brazilian’s stuttering start to the season has seen him make just four appearances – three of which came from the bench. He’ll be aiming to open his account for the campaign against Bolton.
LW: Raheem Sterling – A first start lies in wait for Sterling following his surprise move to Arsenal this summer. The loanee was brought in exactly for games like this, allowing his teammates a deserved rest.
