The league cup returns to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since last year's semi finals where Arsenal successfully advanced onto the final after beating Chelsea 2-1 in a tough second leg. However, cast your minds back to this time last year, as the Gunners hosted a similar tie in the third round; Doncaster, to which the game finished as a nervy one-nil win. This was far from the 'one-nil to the Arsenal' of Arsene Wenger's early years though but now under Unai Emery, Arsenal will be looking to make a statement and continue their recent winning ways.
As heavy favourites, Arsenal will know that Brentford have very little to lose and all to gain tomorrow night. The short trip across London means that there will be plenty of travelling fans who'll be more than happy to create an atmosphere; the ideal platform for their boys to dream. Blessed with one or two old Arsenal faces too, the Bees, who currently sit 7th in the Championship, will be more than prepared for battle.
Emery's Arsenal tasted their first cup game last mid week and performed pretty well going forward but did deploy a number of first teamers from the off. One player who looks likely to miss out is Sokratis who picked up what looked like a dead leg during the first half against Everton on Sunday. He was the only ever present this season but Emery now may be forced to replace the Greek with another centre back as Wednesday is likely to come too soon. Rob Holding came on at the weekend and looked more than comfortable at the heart of the defence so he'll be confident in starting against Brentford and will be looking to earn a spot for the Watford game on Saturday. Young Mavropanos is in desperate need of some first team action, even more so, so he too could be in from the off. U23 captain Julio Pleguezuelo is rumoured to have been training with the first team in recent weeks so he too could be in with a shout. However, my opinion is that if he is to make the match day squad, it will be the bench at best. Much like last Thursday, there's questions over the fullbacks and whether Emery will give youth a chance down the left. I anticipate him to play Monreal again, especially if he plays Holding and Mavropanos together in the middle. The back four will be rounded off by Stephan Lichtsteiner at right back who'll bring a wealth of experience to the defensive unit. Bernd Leno is expected to start between the sticks once again, after starting Arsenal life pretty well against FC Vorskla. Emiliano Martinez is likely to be the back up stopper again with Petr Cech being rested completely.
Midfield is again a mystery but as Lucas Torriera started on Sunday, it wouldn't be a surprise to see a midfield duo of Matteo Guendouzi and Mohamed Elneny, with Alex Iwobi in front as the attacking midfielder. Danny Welbeck is likely to start from the left with (a potentially fit) Henrikh Mkhitaryan from the right and Eddie Nketiah leading the line up the middle. Emile Smith-Rowe remains in the hunt should Mkhitaryan miss out through injury. Emery needs to be prepared though, with English league football like no other second or third tier in the world, he should ensure there is plenty of strength in reserve. The likes of Lacazette, Ramsey, Mustafi and Ozil should be stacked in case of emergency but for me, this competition (especialy this early on) is the best platform to test the youngsters. The likes of Willock, Mavropanos, Smith-Rowe and Nketiah are the next breed and they too need pitch time just like the more senior regulars.
Although the manager is different, the squad isn't overly far from last year's crop and with many of these still at the club, all will be hungry to go one step further this year. The league cup is no joke - proof is in the pudding as Wenger and Guardiola deployed over a combined £500million worth of talent across their starting XI's in February's final. A trophy is a trophy and although a top four finish and another good Europa League run should be higher on the priority list, another trip to Wembley and some silverware wouldn't go amiss. To start the Emery era with some success would certainly do no harm so let's get involved as the Gunners start their journey tomorrow.
Expected lineup:
GK: Bernd Leno
RB: Stephan Lichtsteiner
CB: Rob Holding
CB: Dino Mavropanos
LB: Nacho Monreal
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CM: Mohamed Elneny
CAM: Alex Iwobi
RW: Henrikh Mkhitaryn
ST: Eddie Nketiah
LW: Danny Welbeck
Prediction: 2-0, Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi to both impress and grab a goal a piece.
@craigbennett10
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