Confirmed: Arsenal Starting XI vs. Fleetwood Town

Arsenal are looking to progress through to the fifth round of the Carabao Cup as they face Fleetwood Town this evening, a competition Arsenal reached the final of last year, but ultimately came up short.

Mikel Arteta has named nine changes from Saturday’s impressive win against Everton, as he looks to give opportunities to academy players and senior players on the fringes. The most notable inclusion is that of Ceadach O’Neill, who starts to make his competitive debut for the Arsenal. The 18-year-old Northern Ireland international is set to start on the wing, as he looks to make his mark and impress the Arsenal manager. It’s not the first time he’s been included in an Arsenal squad this season, as Mikel Arteta, who is clearly a fan, named him amongst the substitutes in the Champions League against Lille.

Illan Meslier is preferred over Kepa Arrizabalaga in net, perhaps indicating a shift in who Arteta believes is Arsenal’s number two keeper behind David Raya.

In defence, Arsenal academy star Marli Salmon is starting as he looks to make another positive showing in this season’s competition. He is partnered by Cristhian Mosquera, who makes his first Arsenal appearance since the end of August. Jurriën Timber and Piero Hincapié also make a return to the defence.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is one of two Arsenal players to keep his spot from Saturday and is joined by Martin Zubimendi in midfield. Zubimendi is expected to be wearing a protective mask after he suffered a broken nose when he came off the bench last weekend.

16-year-old sensation Max Dowman also gets the nod from the start as he looks to replicate his electric performance in the last round at Ipswich, in which he secured an impressive brace. It’s a big game for the teenager, as he looks to truly stake his claim for challenging for the right wing spot ahead of Noni Madueke, who has come into some good form. With Saka out for an estimated 6-8 weeks, this is a real chance for Dowman to show Mikel Arteta his worth.

Arteta has also chosen to start with both Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz in attack, pairing them both up top together.

The Arsenal bench is mixed. There are notably some strong names on there still, including White, Konsa, Guimarães and Eze. Joining them on the bench are some Arsenal academy players who will be looking for a rare opportunity in front of Mikel Arteta. Harriman-Annous, Washington and Hashi make up the rest of Arsenal’s substitutes.

Arsenal Starting XI: Meslier, Timber, Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman; O’Neill, Havertz, Gyökeres

Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, White, Washington, Konsa, Eze, Harriman-Annous, Hashi, Guimarães, Ødegaard

The Premier League Champions are looking to continue what has been an impressive start to their season and avoid a nasty cup upset on the coast.