Arsenal are back into their least favourite competition as they welcome Bolton Wanderers in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side were so close to grabbing their first win at the Etihad Stadium since 2015. The Gunners put up a brave show as they defended really well until John Stones scored the leveller for City in the 98th minute. They now have to shift their focus to a competition that they have won only twice in their history.
Meanwhile, the Trotters have navigated their way to the third round by defeating Mansfield Town and Shrewsbury Tow. They are going through a 66-year drought themselves and only won the Community Shield in 1958.
Arsenal failed to win their last two EFL Cup contests at the Emirates, losing against Liverpool and Bolton. Their last home victory came in 2021 against Sunderland, where their former young talent Charlie Patino contributed in a 5-1 demolition.
🔴⚪️ The Arsenal comeback from 2-0 down to Bolton to win 4-2 at The Emirates 💯⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/fcUiNdAQcv
— GoonerNick (@nickvann1987__) July 28, 2022
Bolton are lying in 18th place in League One, while the Gunners are going strong in the Premier League with 11 points in five games. Arteta will have a great chance to field the young guns and let them show their potential in the EFL Cup tie.
Both clubs will face each other after a period of 12 years, and it will be interesting to see how Arsenal could lineup against Ian Wvatt’s side.
HERE IS HOW ARSENAL COULD LINE UP AGAINST BOLTON WANDERERS
Defence: Jack Porter; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly
David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori suffered a minor knock at the end of the City clash, and they are expected to be rested for the next game. 18-year-old U21 star Tommy Setford who was next in line to start in the League Cup is injured as well which paves way for 16-year-old Jack Porter to start tomorrow.
Jurrien Timber also struggled with cramps in the last game but will make it to the starting XI. Arteta will need more experience in the backline and will go with William Saliba and Jakub Kiwior in dese. Gabriel Maghalaes and Ben White will also be rested after a highly aggressive encounter with the Citizens.
Talented left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly will finally get his spot in the main team afterfen being impressive in preseason games in the United States.
Midfield: Jorginho, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand, Ethan Nwaneri
Veteran midfielder Jorginho will get game time ahead of Thomas Partey and Declan Rice. The Italian will manage the centre of the field and provide guidance to the other two young stars who are going to battle alongside him.
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21-year-old U21 star Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand will make his senior debut alongside highly talented midfield prodigy Ethan Nwaneri.
Attack: Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka will get much-deserved rest after starting every single game this season. After a tense result on Sunday, they need to rest or face the risk of getting injured in the future.
The fans could finally see Raheem Sterling being named in the starting XI. Gabriel Jesus will be eager to end his goalscoring drought, with Gabriel Martinelli supporting him on the flanks.
It’s not going to be too difficult for the attackers if they make the best use of their chances upfront. All eyes will be on the young academy talents and what they can produce on the field for the Gooners on Wednesday.
Predicted starting lineup for Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers: Jack Porter; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand, Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.
