Evening Standard
·18 December 2024
Evening Standard
·18 December 2024
Mikel Arteta will be unwilling to rotate too much in this London derby
Myles Lewis-Skelly could tonight start his third game in a row when Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The 18-year-old has started the last two games, against Monaco and Everton, at left-back in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori.
Calafiori and Zinchenko are still out, so Lewis-Skelly could get the nod again - unless Jurrien Timber is shifted over from right-back.
David Raya is expected to start in goal as Neto, who is on loan from Bournemouth, is cup-tied.
Mikel Arteta has played teenagers Jack Porter and Tommy Setford in goal in the other rounds, but will likely to turn to Raya given this game with Palace is a quarter-final.
Jakub Kiwior could get a start in the heart of defence, with Gabriel only just back from a muscle injury.
Ethan Nwaneri, who has scored three goals in the Carabao Cup this season, is likely to come into the midfield. Mikel Merino and Jorginho could partner him, with the latter an option to captain the side if Martin Odegaard is rested.
In attack, Arteta faces a dilemma as to whether he plays Bukayo Saka or not. Raheem Sterling will hope to get a start after being given the nod in the last two rounds.
The winger has not played for Arsenal this month, but is determined to fight for his place after joining the Gunners on loan from Chelsea in the summer.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Sterling
Injured: Calafiori (groin), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee), Zinchenko
Ineligible: Neto
Arsenal squad from: Raya, Setford; Gabriel, Heaven, Kiwior, Saliba, Tierney, Timber; Havertz, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Jesus, Martinelli, Saka, Sterling and Trossard.
Time and date: 7.30pm GMT on Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Referee: Andrew Madley
TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports