Arsenal predicted line-up vs. Brentford: £105m midfielder out among eight changes for EFL Cup clash

Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season will be put to test in the third round of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night when the Gunners make the short trip across the capital to the Brentford Community Stadium to take on Thomas Frank’s side.

With several players likely to be rested as they work through minor injury worries, Mikel Arteta’s team may have to go into the game with something of a second-string squad in several areas, and while the EFL Cup is traditionally seen as a good chance for rest and rotation it’s fair to assume that Arteta will not want to weaken his side too much as they seek their first silverware of the Spaniard’s reign.

We’ve compiled all the latest team news and injury updates for Arsenal as they prepare to face Brentford on Wednesday evening.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Arteta’s goalkeeper rotation policy could be put to the test – David Raya has impressed since taking the reins but Aaron Ramsdale may well get the chance to prove his own credentials as Arsenal’s number one against the Bees.

Jurriën Timber and Thomas Partey remain on the treatment table for the foreseeable future, so back-up defenders such as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior are likely to get some game time in the starting eleven as they look to bolster their own chances of a run in the first-team ahead of an away trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.

Midfield

Declan Rice came off at half-time in Sunday’s north London derby with a possible back injury, the severity of which is still being assessed, but with a crunch tie against Manchester City not too far down the road it’s extremely unlikely that he will be risked against Brentford. Jorginho will most likely play as a defensive midfielder on Wednesday, although Mohamed Elneny may get some minutes too as he makes his way back from long-term injury.

Another interesting selection decision Arteta has to make is whether to give Kai Havertz another chance to impress following his stuttering start to the season, with Fábio Vieira given the starting role in midfield against Tottenham Hotspur. Emile Smith Rowe should be in line for some more minutes after coming on in the second half on Sunday.

Forwards

Minor injuries to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard could see them miss out against Brentford, with the Brazilian winger suffering a hamstring strain and versatile Belgian forward Trossard sidelined by an unspecified muscle issue. It would be a surprise if either played a part in the EFL Cup.

Bukayo Saka may well also be given a rest against the Bees – the England winger has been managing an Achilles issue sustained towards the end of the last season, and any chance to give such an important player some time on the sidelines is likely to be seized upon. Reiss Nelson seems certain to play from the start, while Vieira could play in a more advanced role if Arteta decides to rest Gabriel Jesus.

Full predicted line-up vs. Brentford

Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Kiwior, Cédric; Jorginho, Havertz, Smith Rowe; Nelson, Nketiah, Vieira.