Mikel Arteta is expected to make significant changes when Arsenal begin their Carabao Cup campaign away at Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
Arsenal’s visit to Portman Road gives Mikel Arteta little reason to resist rotation.
The Gunners have already faced Chelsea, Napoli and Sunderland in quick succession, with another Premier League trip to Brighton waiting at the weekend. Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie therefore offers another opportunity to change several positions without dramatically weakening the side.
If Arsenal’s graphics ahead of the match are anything to go by, it could be a start in goal for Kepa Arrizabalaga who started every game of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup run last season.
The defence may require a bit more creativity.
Ben White was withdrawn at half-time against Sunderland after appearing to suffer a groin problem, while William Saliba remains sidelined with his back injury. Cristhian Mosquera is closer to a return, but after missing the last few matches, an immediate start would be a real test of fitness.
Jurrien Timber could land himself a starting role though. The Dutchman made his return at Sunderland and completed the second half after several months out. Ipswich could provide an opportunity to increase his minutes, although Arteta will need to be careful with a player only just back from a significant absence.
With those issues in mind, Timber could start at right-back before being managed during the second half.
Ezri Konsa may have to remain in the side because of the lack of available senior centre-backs, with Piero Hincapie alongside him. Myles Lewis-Skelly can then move back to the left side of defence, allowing Riccardo Calafiori a rest.
The midfield is where Arsenal’s squad depth really gives Arteta freedom coming into the match.
Martin Zubimendi has not started a single game since returning from winning the World Cup, and with that, not played more thant 23 minutes in a single game. The Spaniard would be an obvious candidate to come into the side. Bruno Guimaraes may also start after his decisive contribution from the bench at Sunderland, when he scored the opening goal for the Gunners.
Mikel Merino could operate ahead of that pair, allowing Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to sit this one out from the start after another demanding week, while still leaving Arsenal with an experienced midfield capable of controlling the game.
There should be changes across the front three as well.
Bukayo Saka has started regularly and there is little reason to risk overloading him in the third round of the Carabao Cup, but could operate from the bench if called upon. Noni Madueke is ready-made cover on the right and needs starts of his own.
Eberechi Eze can come in from the left, particularly after being used from the bench at Sunderland.
Viktor Gyokeres should lead the line, having started against Napoli during last week’s midweek fixture.
Kai Havertz has been trusted through the opening Premier League fixtures, but this is exactly the sort of game in which Arteta can give Gyokeres another opportunity having only been called on from the bench once in the Premier League this season.
Max Dowman is another player who should be involved, although a place among the substitutes feels more likely than a start given the number of senior players requiring minutes.
The biggest uncertainty remains in defence. If Mosquera is declared fully fit, Arteta could use him at some stage, but after several games out, the bench would appear the more sensible starting point.
That still allows Arsenal to make a number of changes from Sunderland while putting out a side with plenty of senior experience.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Ipswich: Kepa; Timber, Konsa, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Guimaraes, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze.
