Arsenal vs. Preston North End: the big M-O(mentum)

Today at 03:32 PM

The Gunners look to advance in the Carabao Cup

Arsenal travel to Preston North End for a Carabao Cup Round of 16 tilt. For those of you unaware, Preston is way in the northwest of England, beyond Manchester. The Lilywhites sit 16th in the Championship but are in decent form, unbeaten in their last five matches. The hosts are managed by Paul Heckingbottom, who will be quite familiar with Arsenal from his recent time in charge of Sheffield United. You know his side will be up for tonight's match, too. This has all the hallmarks of a "famous victory" for Preston. Arsenal need to avoid that.

Sidenote: the Gunners need to beat them strictly because of that nickname. Arsenal Football Club cannot be losing matches to clubs bearing the "Lilywhite" moniker. For obvious reasons.

The Carabao Cup is not a particularly prestigious competition at this point. At least not to the bigger clubs or their supporters who don't seem to care about it nearly as much as the FA Cup, European Competition, and the Premier League. But silverware is silverware and cup runs give your younger players and frequently unused substitutes a chance to maintain their fitness and form.

In years past, I've said that I can't be bothered whether Arsenal stay in or go out of the Carabao Cup. I want them to win every match they play, but I wasn't going to give a loss a second glance. This year, I want them to win the whole thing. I want to see Ethan Nwaneri play and develop. And I want to see Arsenal lift a trophy, even if it is "just" the Carabao Cup. This bunch are good enough, and I think it might be a psychological boost for the club, top to bottom, to have something to show for the impressive turnaround guided by Edu and Mikel Arteta and led on the pitch by Arsenal's cadre of young stars.

It's also important for Arsenal to stay sharp and winning football matches. Poor results can harm the atmosphere at a club and create bad vibes. Winning, on the other hand, breeds more winning. I think the club are experienced professionals such that their mindset and mentality moving forward through the season won't get too high or too low regardless of results, but still, you'd rather be winning than losing matches.

The Gunners are without Gabriel for tonight's match, but the Brazilians knee problem is not thought to be serious. He could be available to face Newcastle at the weekend. Martin Ødegaard has been training on the grass for a few weeks but still has a few more milestones to hit in his recovery. Mikel Arteta thinks his skipper might return before the November international break. Riccardo Calafiori is out "a few weeks" which likely means until after the upcoming break. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are both still out.

Arsenal - Setford, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus, Martinelli

Preston - Woodman, Whatmough, Lindsay, Hughes, Ledson, Greenwood, Thordarson, Okkels, Holmes, Kesler-Hayden, Bowler

WHO: Arsenal at Preston North End
WHAT: The EFL Carabao Cup 4th Round
WHEN: Wednesday, October 30th, 3:45pm EST/12:45pm/7:45pm GMT
WHERE: Deepdale Stadium, Preston
HOW TO WATCH: Streaming on the Paramount+ app

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