Arteta to make eight changes for Arsenal's Carabao Cup clash vs Brighton, 23yo finally starts

Arsenal picked up a seventh consecutive win in all competitions after a 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

As a result, the Gunners have a four-point advantage over Bournemouth at the top of the league standings. The focus will now turn to the Carabao Cup.

Mikel Arteta’s side host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round, and it promises to be a tricky encounter, given the recent results between the clubs.

Arsenal have won just two of the previous five meetings against Brighton. Both league games last season ended up in draws despite the Gunners holding the lead.

Declan Rice’s unfortunate red card paved the way for Brighton to equalise at the Emirates (1-1). In the reverse fixture, the Seagulls were handed a dubious penalty (1-1).

The Gunners will be aiming to avenge those results tomorrow. Ahead of the game, Arteta is poised to make at least eight changes from the derby win over the Eagles.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is the Cup goalkeeper for the Gunners. The Spain international is expected to replace compatriot David Raya between the sticks against Brighton.

There should be a complete overhaul of the backline. William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori picked up injuries against Palace and are likely to miss the encounter.

Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes could start on the bench. The duo could be given a breather ahead of the league game against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.

We expect Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly to make the back four.

Hincapie, 23, has made a couple of substitute appearances in the Champions League and Premier League, and could finally make his full debut for the London giants.

Martin Zubimendi could be rested with Christian Norgaard starting in the number six role. He could be accompanied by Mikel Merino, with Declan Rice nursing a knock.

Eberechi Eze bagged the winner against Palace with a superb half volley. The Englishman should continue as the central attacking playmaker with Ethan Nwaneri potentially playing out wide tomorrow.

Nwaneri could start on the right wing with Bukayo Saka being rested. The rest of the attack could stay unchanged. Leandro Trossard looks set to start on the left wing with Viktor Gyokeres leading the line.

Gabriel Martinelli picked up a possible muscle injury against Palace and may not be risked. 15-year-old Max Dowman could be introduced off the bench to replace Nwaneri if required.

Gyokeres remains the only fit striker solution if Merino starts in midfield. The Swede has the opportunity to boost his confidence with a goal or two in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Early Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Brighton: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino; Nwaneri, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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