Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal take on Port Vale in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Port Vale
Arsenal (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino; Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.
The Gunners head to Vale Park for the first time since winning a penalty shootout against the Valiants on the way to winning the FA Cup back in 1998.
The game kicks off at 8pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Arsenal team news vs Port Vale
Arsenal’s trip to Port Vale gives Arteta the opportunity to field some fringe players and get minutes in the legs ahead of what is going to be a gruelling season across four competitions.
However, the Spaniard will be without Noni Madueke who was forced off with a knee injury at half-time against Manchester City and now faces around two months out of action.
Defender Piero Hincapie, meanwhile, was absent from the matchday squad on Sunday and it’s unknown when he is set to return.
Martin Odegaard is also out with a shoulder problem. But Bukayo Saka and Ben White are likely to feature as they step up their comebacks after returning from injury.
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Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are expected to start against as Arteta rings the changes. Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard could play as a false nine should the manager opt to rest Viktor Gyokeres ahead of games with Newcastle and Olympiacos.
An important decision to make
Arsenal boss Arteta has a decision to make about whether to involve Saka in the Carabao Cup against Port Vale.
The winger returned to the pitch on Sunday, coming on as a half-time substitute against Man City in place of Madueke, having spent a month out with a hamstring injury.
Saka was forced off in August’s 5-0 win against Leeds after hurting his left leg. It was a concern for Arsenal as it was the second time in eight months that the player had injured his hamstring.
The winger required surgery on the original issue in December and missed three-and-a-half months of last season.
However, Saka has returned from the latest problem and will be keen to build his fitness back up in order to contribute to Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge.
The trip to the Potteries in the Carabao Cup is a good chance for the winger to get out on the pitch and add more minutes to the tank.
Arsenal boast enough quality to progress against League One opposition and so starting the England international would be more about boosting his fitness as opposed to requiring him.
With that in mind, Arteta may choose to start Saka before taking him off early in the second half. Max Dowman, who is still only 15 but who has featured in two Premier League matches already this season, could come on to replace the winger in a boost for his own development.
Should Saka play, Gunners followers will be hoping he comes through unscathed as he is a key man for the club and his return is a huge positive as the Londoners battle on four fronts at home and abroad.