Myles Lewis-Skelly decision made as £250k-a-week star drops out: Predicted Arsenal XI v Preston
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Arsenal will look to take another step towards the Carabao Cup final when they head to Preston North End on Wednesday night.
The Gunners have experienced a wobble in the Premier League in recent weeks, picking up just one point from their last two games.
And while a 2-2 draw with Liverpool isn’t a bad result, there was a sense of disappointment for Arsenal as they failed to hang onto a lead twice in the game.
Mikel Arteta is now likely to ring the chances for the Carabao Cup clash against the Championship’s 16th-placed side.
TBR Football looks at who could make the Arsenal starting XI for the trip to Deepdale.
Arsenal team news v Preston
Arteta said at Tuesday’s pre-match presser that Gabriel is still being assessed but the issue “doesn’t look bad at all”.
The Arsenal boss also said Jurrien Timber hasn’t picked up a new injury, while Riccardo Calafiori could be out for a few weeks with a knee concern.
As for Martin Odegaard and his ankle injury, Arteta said “there are still a few boxes to tick”.
Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out with a knee injury, while Kieran Tierney is still nursing a hamstring issue.
William Saliba is available for selection, having served his one-game suspension.
Myles Lewis-Skelly tipped to start at left-back for Arsenal
A combination of an injury-hit back line, a trip to Newcastle in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off and EFL opposition means Arteta could well make numerous changes.
We predict first-choice David Raya could get a rest and, with Neto cup-tied, academy summer signing Tommy Setford could get a chance in between the Arsenal sticks.
Saliba’s enforced rest at the weekend means he will be fresh for the Preston game and, as such, we predict he’ll start alongside Jakub Kiwior at centre-back.
As for the full-back positions, academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly could feature at left-back, while Ben White is a good shout at right-back.
Midfield is likely to see some changes too. We predict £250,000-a-week star Declan Rice will be rested, with Jorginho taking his place, and Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri either side of him.
As for the front line, there’s a good chance the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz will be rested too.
We think Gabriel Jesus will lead the line, with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Martinelli either side of him.
