Nwaneri starts, Lewis-Skelly decision, new Zinchenko role - Arsenal line ups vs Preston

Arsenal take on Preston North End in the Carabao Cup fourth round looking to get back to winning ways after grabbing just one win in the last three matches. The Gunners have failed to go further than this stage in their previous two attempts, having been knocked out by Brighton and West Ham in the past two seasons.

Preston, their opponents, are not having the best of seasons in the Championship. Just three wins from the opening 12 games, having conceded 17 goals, will give Mikel Arteta perhaps some encouragement to rotate his squad.

The challenge is who he brings in considering there are doubts over the fitness of several players. Thankfully, football.london’s Arsenal writers are on hand to give their view on who should start for the Gunners on Wednesday.

Tom Canton

Changes are important, especially with a trip to St James’ Park coming this weekend, and Arsenal are in short supply of depth. That said, there can be a serious number of switch-ins for the midweek clash.

I would like to see Oleksandr Zinchenko finally start a game and offer Arsenal some more progression considering the dip in creativity since Martin Odegaard’s injury. Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri can also enter the midfield with the consistent Declan Rice offering the starting quality.

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Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling again rotate in for a start as they look to try and show why they deserve more game time, allowing a chance for Bukayo Saka to rest but maybe getting some minutes from the bench.

William Saliba is a welcome return, especially for Ben White who can move to right-back. Neto is cup-tied so David Raya will have to start.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Preston: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Rice, Nwaneri; Sterling, Havertz, Jesus

Kaya Kaynak

If I'm Mikel Arteta I'm looking to use this as a chance to give some rest to an Arsenal squad that look really tired at the moment. That starts in goal where I'm starting Tommy Setford over David Raya.

In the backline options are quite limited. I'm moving Ben White back out to right back and playing Jakub Kiwior and Ayden Heaven in the middle. My left back is then Myles Lewis-Skelly.

In midfield I'm giving Thomas Partey the night off and starting Jorginho. I'm playing the Italian alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko in a new left eight role. The Ukrainian doesn't seem trusted at the back so why not use his skillset elsewhere.

Then alongside him I'm starting Ethan Nwaneri in that Martin Odegaard right eight role. The 17-year-old will be hoping he can shine just like last time against Bolton.

In the front line Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have to start. Both look like they need a goal to give their confidence levels a boost. On the right meanwhile I'm sticking with Leandro Trossard to give Kai Havertz a deserved night off.

Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Preston - Setford; White, Kiwior, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Nwaneri, Zinchenko; Trossard, Jesus, Sterling.

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