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Confirmed Arsenal team to face Bolton – Lots of changes

Arsenal welcome League One outfit Bolton Wanderers to the Emirates this evening in the third round of the Carabao Cup and this is the side that Mikel Arteta has selected.

The Carabao Cup may not be Arsenal’s top priority, and that is reflected in the team Mikel Arteta has fielded. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a competition Arsenal doesn’t want to win—they certainly do.

Due to fixture congestion, Arteta has little choice but to rotate the squad and field a weakened side. Still, even a rotated Arsenal lineup is likely to be stronger than Bolton’s League One first team.

Bolton will undoubtedly aim to pull off an upset, but even against a heavily changed Arsenal side, they could struggle. That said, Arteta’s team must guard against complacency, as surprises can happen, especially in the early stages of cup competitions.

Let us know in the comments below what you think of Arteta’s lineup and what your score prediction is!

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24 Comments

  1. Why does Arteta seem intent on running Saka into the ground.

    At best Saka should have been benched tonight.

    Anyone else agree.

    1. Nah, Saka is a world class player at 23 years old. Messi etc didnt need much rest and I’m certain Saka will be subbed off before 60th minute mark.

    4. Because Martinelli ran until his legs died on Sunday and trossard is suspended. Saka only played 45 min.Otherwise this was certainly the match arteta earmarked to rest him.

  2. Am so happy for the 4 academy teens in the starting line up, hopefully they prove their worth tonight. Especially Nwaneri he’s been offered a great platform with Rice/ Jorginho behind him and Saka, Jesus, Sterling infront of him

  4. Agree wholeheartedly Derek.This is a game where Martinelli ought to have been given an opportunity to regain his confidence.

    2. Martinelli played more than 90 minutes just last sunday while Saka only played for 45 minutes… I guess that’s why his on bench

    1. Hopefully he will shine and enjoy the experience. I am sure the supporters will be giving him as much support as possible.

  6. No! I disagree. Saka played 45 minutes over the weekend. Playing 60/70 minutes today won’t be too much IMHO.

  7. The team sheet is fairly balanced and strong in my opinion.
    Saka was hooked for Ben during the city game and am sure he will not complete the match.
    Relax.

  8. I’m glad that MA is playing a mixture of youth AND experience
    He could have very easily dropped Saka, Rice, Jesus, Jorgino, Sterling and Calafiori and just played all youth
    It shows that he takes this competition seriously

    COYG

  10. Very pleased so far. Nights like these can throw up all sorts of unexpected score lines – so far so good

  11. I like how miles and nwaneri in particular don’t just do the obvious thing, they play clever passes even when under pressure. Nichols spotted a through pass for jesus and went for it as well, just didn’t come off. It’s impressive. Keeper hasn’t been too tested but looks comfortable with his feet. Again, impressive

  12. So it seems even our own fans, who accused us of faking injuries to waste time are very quite tonight.
    I make it just three from our starting eleven against city115 are starting the game.
    Great to see the new faces and fringe players out there and, as I write this, we’ve just gone 5-1 up.

  13. Kiwior looked really assured. Sterling was bright. Nwaneri played like a senior player really. Overall, a very encouraging match.
    Speaking of Nwaneri, at times, I felt if Odegaard was on the pitch. His close control and press resistance really looks similar.

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