Arsenal play host to Championship challengers Norwich City in tonight’s Carabao League Cup tie.
The Canaries come into the match in top form, having remained unbeaten in their last nine fixtures, while winning their last five matches away from home. Of course none of those results have been against sides on our level, but their confidence should be sky-high at present and could cause us some problems.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already revealed that he will be ringing the changes for the match-up, with today’s encounter proving to be our third match in six days, and you would expect a few inexperienced stars featuring.
Our provisional squad includes the likes of Chris Willock, Ashley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Matt Macey and Josh Dasilva, while Mathieu Debuchy is also included after his outing in the Europa League last week.
Predicted XI:
Macey
Holding Mertesacker Monreal
Nelson Elneny Willock Maitland-Niles
Walcott Wilshere
Giroud
This Arsenal team has enough firepower in it to come away with the win today, especially at home, although the form of Norwich could see them play with plenty of belief, and it could be a very good game for the neutrals.
I’m under no illusion that we won’t come away with the necessary result, but I also expect to be given a game by our lower league rivals.
Theo Walcott loves to open the scoring against lesser rivals, and I would usually opt for him to bag the opening goal as a value option, but for some reason I really foresee Olivier Giroud getting the opener today, to boost his already impressive week in which he was awarded the FIFA Puskas Award for his scorpion kick.
I’m only predicting a tame 2-1 win tonight, as am showing respect to the Norwich side which I believe is more than organised enough to deny us a hatful of goals.
Am I showing the Canaries too much respect? Will we run over the Championship side?
Pat J