Arteta makes 8 changes | Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Brighton with Rice & Saka decisions

Arsenal welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Emirates Stadium in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight.

The Gunners received a big injury boost yesterday, with manager Mikel Arteta confirming the availability of three key players.

Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are all available for the League Cup tie against the Seagulls.

However, Arsenal will be without William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli. The duo are being assessed after recent injuries.

Arteta is bound to rotate his starting line-up. We anticipate eight changes from the 1-0 league win over Crystal Palace.

The Gunners played out 1-1 draws against Brighton last season. They will be aiming for a win to make the quarter-final.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Kepa Arrizabalaga made his debut in the Carabao Cup third round victory at Port Vale. The Spain international is expected to return in goal with compatriot David Raya set to be rested.

Arteta is likely to field a new-look defence for the game. Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly are poised to start at right-back and left-back respectively. Jurrien Timber and Calafiori should be given a breather ahead of Saturday’s league trip to Burnley.

Gabriel Magalhaes should likewise drop to the bench. Piero Hincapie is set to make his full debut in the heart of the defence alongside Cristhian Mosquera. The former has made just two substitute appearances and could finally make the starting line-up.

Christian Norgaard should come in for Martin Zubimendi in the number six role. With Rice fit, the Englishman should continue as the central midfielder. Arteta needs some extra mobility in the centre of the park against Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari. We believe Mikel Merino is better off playing upfront.

Ethan Nwaneri has been a regular unused substitute. The Gunners graduate is likely to get the nod over Eberechi Eze in the number 10 role tonight. Further forward, we anticipate just one change from the hard-fought derby win over the Eagles on Sunday.

In his pre-match press conference, Arteta hinted that the club may need to be more cautious with Viktor Gyokeres, with other specialist strikers out injured. Hence, we won’t be surprised to see Merino lead the attack as the makeshift centre-forward.

Leandro Trossard should keep his place on the left wing with Martinelli sidelined. Bukayo Saka is likely to start on the right wing, having played just over an hour last weekend. Max Dowman could be introduced off the bench, having not featured for the Under-21s yesterday.

How Arsenal could line up vs Brighton

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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