Mikel Arteta set to shuffle Arsenal squad for Brighton Carabao Cup clash

The Gunners edged Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Emirates at the weekend, with Eberechi Eze's superb volley securing a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions and maintaining a four-point lead over Bournemouth at the top of the Premier League.

Attention now turns to cup action, with Brighton arriving in north London for what promises to be a stern test.

Arsenal have struggled against the Seagulls in recent meetings, winning just two of the last five encounters. Both league fixtures last season ended in 1-1 draws, Declan Rice's red card led to Brighton's equaliser at the Emirates, while a controversial penalty for Joao Pedro, after a clash with William Saliba, salvaged a point for Fabian Hurzeler's side in the return game.

Arteta has hinted that rotation will be key ahead of Saturday's league trip to Burnley. "We need fresh legs and different options," the Spaniard said. "It's important that everyone contributes because we are playing a lot of matches in a short space of time."

Cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to start in place of David Raya, while injuries to William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori could see a new-look defence featuring Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie and teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Hincapie, 23, joined on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in September and has made cameo appearances in both the Premier League and Champions League but could finally be handed his full debut.

In midfield, Christian Norgaard is likely to replace the injured Declan Rice in the holding role, with Mikel Merino also expected to feature.

Eberechi Eze, who scored the winner against Palace, is tipped to operate as the central playmaker once again, while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could start on the right flank if Bukayo Saka is rested. Noni Madueke is set to play on the left in place of the injured Leandro Trossard, supporting Viktor Gyokeres up front.

Gabriel Martinelli is a major doubt after picking up an injury, meaning 15-year-old Max Dowman could make the bench.

Gyokeres, the only fit senior striker available, will look to find the net and strengthen his confidence as Arsenal chase a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Arteta will be eager not only to maintain momentum but also to settle a score against a Brighton side that have frustrated his team too often in recent seasons under Hurzeler.

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