Arsenal turn their attention to the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night with a trip to Portman Road to face Premier League rivals Ipswich Town in the third round.
After a hard fought win over Sunderland on Saturday, the Gunners face a quick turnaround for the first match of their Carabao Cup campaign.
The trip to Portman Road comes as Arsenal’s third game in six days following wins over Napoli and Sunderland, and comes four days before their next Premier League away fixture at Brighton.
Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup final last season before losing to Manchester City, and Arteta now has an opportunity to use the depth added to his squad over the summer without dramatically weakening his team as they embark on their next journey through the competition.
With a number of midweek rotations during the Gunners trip to Naples, Arsenal may look to do the same again.
Ipswich will look to ensure this is anything but a straightforward night.
Gary O’Neil’s side have already beaten Sunderland and Crystal Palace since returning to the Premier League, also knocking Leicester City out of this competition in the previous round.
Arsenal Team News
Jurrien Timber’s return at Sunderland was particularly well timed. The defender came on at half-time at the Stadium of Light for his first appearance of the season following a lengthy spell out, and Tuesday could offer an opportunity to build his match fitness with more minutes.
On the other side of that substitution, Ben White made way for Timber, appearing uncomfortable late in the opening period, so Arteta will also now need to assess the right-back before deciding how heavily he can rotate his defensive line.
Cristhian Mosquera was also closing in on a return before the Sunderland game. Arteta had suggested the defender could be available either on Wearside or for the following fixture, making his fitness one to watch ahead of the trip to Ipswich. Whilst William Saliba remains the longer-term absentee in Arsenal’s defence.
There should be considerably more scope for changes further forward.
Bruno Guimaraes made an immediate impact from the bench at Sunderland by scoring the opening goal, while Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi were also introduced during the second half.
With Brighton to come on Saturday, it would be a surprise if Arteta asked all of his regular Premier League starters to go again from the beginning at Portman Road.
Ipswich Form and Team News
Ipswich have made an unpredictable but encouraging start on their return to the Premier League, something that Arsenal will take into account for Tuesday night’s fixture.
They opened with a 2-1 home win against Sunderland before losing 5-2 at Manchester United. A 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester was followed by another Premier League loss at the hands of Liverpool, before a tough battle with Palace on Saturday
Ipswich came from behind to win 3-2 at Selhurst Park, with Zian Flemming scoring the winner in the 90th minute after Palace had been reduced to 10 men.
That result means they come into Tuesday with three wins from five competitive games, their two losses coming against sides which on paper, looked much stronger. The Gunners sit in that same category, but The Tractor Boys have shown they’re willing to put up a fight.
Ipswich were without Jack Taylor through injury at Palace, while Jaden Philogene and Azor Matusiwa had also been dealing with fitness issues ahead of the weekend.
Flemming’s late winner could put him in contention for a larger role against Arsenal, while Julio Enciso, Leif Davis and Emersonn give Ipswich several different routes to creating chances.
What to Expect
Arteta has already shown he is prepared to change his team during a demanding run of fixtures, making four changes for the Champions League win at Napoli before returning to a more familiar side at Sunderland. The Carabao Cup gives him another chance to spread minutes around the squad.
Ipswich have already shown at Portman Road that they are capable of making games uncomfortable, and their opening Premier League win against Sunderland came through a late Jack Clarke goal after a competitive contest.
O’Neil has options in attack and Ipswich are unlikely to approach a home cup tie against Arsenal conservatively. Leif Davis remains an important outlet down the left, while Enciso can cause problems between the lines if the Gunners allow him space.
For Arsenal, the challenge will be finding rhythm despite the likely changes. Despite their 100% win record, the Gunners haven’t breezed through every match, winning three of their opening five by just one goal.
Players coming into the side have an opportunity to make Arteta’s selection decisions more difficult, particularly with places becoming increasingly competitive following Timber’s return and Guimaraes’ impact at Sunderland.
When Is Ipswich vs Arsenal?
Ipswich Town host Arsenal at Portman Road on Tuesday, September 15.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm BST.
The game is part of the third round of the Carabao Cup, with Arsenal entering the competition at this stage because of their involvement in European football.
How to Watch Ipswich vs Arsenal
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports+ in the UK, with streaming available through the Sky Sports app and NOW.
The game will be available live on Paramount+ in the USA, with kick-off at 3pm ET.
Whilst Coverage will be available live on DAZN in Canada, with kick-off at 3pm ET.
Prediction
This feels like exactly the type of cup tie where Arsenal’s squad depth should be tested.
Ipswich have already shown enough this season to make Portman Road a difficult place to visit, while the short turnaround from Sunderland gives Arteta good reason to make substantial changes.
Arsenal should still be able to name a side containing plenty of senior international experience, and the quality available from the bench gives them another advantage if the game remains close.
Ipswich are capable of scoring, particularly if Arsenal’s changes produce a disjointed start, but the Gunners should have enough to progress.
Prediction: Ipswich Town 0-2 Arsenal
