Ipswich Town and Arsenal have announced their starting lineups for their Carabao Cup clash, with both sides making notable changes to their teams.
Arsenal have handed starts to Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze, while Bukayo Saka has been named among the substitutes.
Kepa Arrizabalaga starts in goal for Arsenal, with the defensive unit consisting of Marli Salmon, Gabriel Magalhães and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
In midfield, Arsenal have opted for Martín Zubimendi, Bruno Guimarães and Mikel Merino, while youngster Max Dowman also gets the opportunity to feature. Eze starts in an attacking midfield role, adding creativity to the Gunners’ lineup.
Up front, Noni Madueke partners Gyökeres, who will be one of the key players to watch during the encounter. The Swedish striker will be looking to make an impact from the start and provide Arsenal with a focal point in attack.
The biggest talking point from the Arsenal lineup is the absence of Saka from the starting XI. The England international has been named on the bench alongside Martin Ødegaard, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis and Kai Havertz.
Riccardo Calafiori, Theo Julienne and goalkeeper Illan Meslier complete the substitutes.
With several first-team regulars starting on the bench, Arsenal’s lineup suggests that manager Mikel Arteta is using the Carabao Cup encounter to rotate his squad while still maintaining considerable attacking quality.
Gyökeres’ presence gives Arsenal a major threat in the final third, while Eze’s inclusion adds another creative dimension. The presence of young Max Dowman also makes the match an interesting opportunity for one of Arsenal’s emerging talents.
Ipswich, meanwhile, will look to make the most of home advantage and frustrate an Arsenal side featuring a mixture of established stars and squad players.
Ipswich Town Starting XI
GK: Christian Walton
DEF: Darnell Furlong, Jacob Greaves, Cédric Kipré
MID: Marcelino Núñez, Florentino Luís, Anis Mehmeti, Kasey McAteer, Abdoul Ouattara, Zian Flemming
FWD: Jaden Philogene
Substitutes:Alex Palmer, Leif Davis, Sindre Walle Egeli, Julio Enciso, Saša Lukić, Dara O’Shea, Chuba Akpom, Daizen Maeda, Jack Clarke
Arsenal Starting XI
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga
DEF: Marli Salmon, Gabriel Magalhães, Myles Lewis-Skelly
MID: Martín Zubimendi, Bruno Guimarães, Mikel Merino, Max Dowman, Eberechi Eze
FWD: Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres
Substitutes: Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis, Kai Havertz, Illan Meslier, Riccardo Calafiori, Theo Julienne