Arsenal take on Championship side Nottingham Forest on Tuesday in the 3rd round of the League Cup.
After a comprehensive win against Hull, expect a heavily rotated side from Wenger. Ospina, Gibbs, Holding, Oxlade-Chamberlain and perhaps Lucas Perez are tipped to start ahead of Saturday’s game against Chelsea.
It leaves a faster team than the one on Saturday against Hull, so expect a lot of width, especially from Gibbs, as Forest will look to sit deep and counter. An away game may see two holding midfielders come – perhaps even a Xhaka-Bielik partnership to give the overrun Coqzorla duo a rest. Iwobi may continue on the left, or we may see fringe players like Willock come into the side, as this is Arsene’s policy with the League Cup.
A 4-3-3 is likely to continue, with perhaps extra emphasis for full backs overlapping and two holding midfielders to cover them, as well as recycle possession. It may end up being a ‘siege’ type fixture.
Forest, meanwhile, got rid of their main asset, Oliver Burke, on deadline day, but players such as Assombalonga have real potential and are proven scorers. Forest also play a narrow 4-3-3, but we may see them go to a 4-1-4-1, as they tried once this season, with former Gunner Henri Lansbury in the holding role. This will lead to a tighter shape and a ‘release’ of the front 5 on the break.
Forest have a special guest who will certainly feature on Tuesday night – former Arsenal player Nicklas Bendtner, who, on his day, can be a real handful, especially from crosses.
Overall, you have to see this game as nothing much more than a run out for the fringe players, but seasoned internationals as they are, it would be a surprise if they didn’t get the job done here. Expect a high scoring game – with Arsenal coming out on top.
