Predicted Arsenal v Preston North End line-up: Carabao Cup

CONFIRMED LINEUP: Setford; Zinchenko, Kiwior, Saliba, Timber; Jorginho, Nwaneri, Merino, Martinelli, Sterling, Jesus

Arsenal face Preston North End in the round of 16 of the Carabao Cup as the Gunners look to push deep into the competition.

On paper, Arsenal had the easiest draw of any Big Six team in the competition. Mikel Arteta avoids all the Premier League teams remaining in the competition and has a golden chance to lift his second domestic trophy with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City eliminated tonight. You can only beat whoever is ahead of you, but Arsenal need silver medals at this point in the Spaniard's reign.

Arteta could rotate his team heavily tonight and give the key players who played the entire 90 against Liverpool a rest.

GK: David Raya—Neto cannot take part in the competition due to the cup tie with Bournemouth. Jack Porter was decent against Bolton last time out but Arteta should take this contest seriously.

LB: Myles Lewis Skelly—The Hale End Academy product is competing again.

CB: Jakub Kiwior– Since Gabriel's fitness is questionable, the Polish international gets the starting signal at LCB.

CB: William Saliba– Back from suspension, Saliba comes into the starting XI and could be an early replacement if the Gunners sort out business.

RB: Benjamin White– After filling in centrally for Saliba against Liverpool, White is in the starting line-up at RB. Josh Nichols could see minutes if Arsenal take an early lead.

CM: Ethan Nwaneri– The exciting prospect gets another start after scoring twice against Bolton. He impressed in brief Premier League appearances that left fans clamoring for more minutes.

CM: Jorginho– The Italian anchors the midfield and gives Partey and Rice a night off unless things get hairy.

CM: Mikel Merino—It would be Arteta's job to give Merino more minutes to work with the team. Could also be an early substitution.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli—Martinelli's form is slowly improving, but Arsenal fans are still waiting for him to reach previous heights. A great opportunity here to put the pedal to the metal with Newcastle United coming up at the weekend.

ST: Gabriel Jesus– The former Man City striker is still looking for his first goal for the club since January and leads the team.

RW: Raheem Sterling—Sterling's loan from Chelsea has been fine, but not great so far. He starts on the right and hopes to get back on the scoresheet.

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