Four Arsenal first-teamers are expected to sit out Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Fleetwood Town, because they will be at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday evening.
According to reports from Now Arsenal, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, David Raya and William Saliba are all due to attend. Mikel Arteta is also tipped to be there after being recognised among the world’s top managers.
The knock-on effect is simple: none of the quartet is expected to start at Arsenal‘s League Two opponents, which hands Arteta an obvious window to rotate heavily.
Arsenal vs Fleetwood team news: who misses out?
The timing of the ceremony makes it impractical for the four to start the game, even if some of them return in time for the later stages. That is a lot of experience to lose in one go, with Rice in midfield, Gabriel and Saliba in defence and Raya in goal.
Rice is also worth watching after the hamstring scare against Everton, which we covered in our Declan Rice injury update. Saliba’s recovery from earlier fitness issues has been closely monitored too, so his non-involvement is notable.
How will Arteta rotate at Fleetwood?
Arteta has shown a willingness to make plenty of changes in cup competitions, and this looks like another chance to do it. Players on the fringes, or coming back from minor issues, could pick up significant minutes.
The manager will still want a side strong enough to progress, but the tie offers a logical window for rotation without putting the Premier League campaign at risk. Our Fleetwood vs Arsenal preview has the wider picture on the tie.
Fleetwood know a much-changed Arsenal is coming
Fleetwood have already come through earlier rounds and will see the visit as a big occasion. They know they will face a heavily altered Gunners side at Highbury.
Arsenal’s depth should still prove too strong, but the chance for fringe players to impress is one of the more interesting angles on the night. Anyone given a start will be expected to take it.
Arsenal Ballon d’Or recognition
The Ballon d’Or attention for several members of the squad underlines how far the club has come in recent seasons, and Arteta’s own nod among the leading managers fits that story. Those individual honours sit alongside a continued push for major trophies on the pitch, with the Carabao Cup one of them.
Author Opinion
Being at the Ballon d’Or is a good problem to have, and it is hard to argue with the logic of resting four key men before a trip to League Two. The danger is treating Fleetwood as a free hit. Arteta needs a balanced XI that can see the job through, and the squad players handed a start have a rare chance to show they belong in the rotation. Gooners will be hoping the second string takes it.
