Arsenal predicted lineup, team and injury news as Mikel Arteta makes Raheem Sterling call vs Bolton
Arsenal will host Bolton Wanderers in an EFL Cup clash on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta will have an opportunity to rotate his Arsenal starting XI when his side take on League One Bolton at the Emirates Stadium.
The Spanish coach will be keen to rest a few of his first team stars, with this fixture arriving just three days after the Gunners’ gruelling 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
The North London club have already had to deal with a number of injury issues this season. At one stage, the number of absences in his squad caused Arteta to lose sleep.
The Gunners will have key figures missing again for this midweek fixture.
Arsenal team and injury news ahead of Bolton clash
Club captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined, as does summer signing Mikel Merino and Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arteta recently stated that Oleksandr Zinchenko will be unavailable for a few weeks. On top of that, there are concerns about goalkeeper David Raya.
Raya was seen bandaged and limping after Sunday’s encounter with Manchester City. What’s more, Bournemouth loanee Neto is unable to make his Arsenal debut in this fixture as he is already cup-tied in this competition.
Arteta will be hoping that Raya can make a swift recovery, or he will have no choice but to name an untested Hale End academy prospect between the sticks against Bolton.
Ben White will likely be rested against Bolton too, after Arteta admitted that the right-back played through injury against Manchester City. The Gunners will also be without Leandro Trossard, whose one-match suspension will be served with this match after he was sent off at the Etihad Stadium.
Predicted Arsenal XI vs Bolton Wanderers features Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling
Arteta has hinted that Raheem Sterling could make his first Arsenal start against Bolton. Talented youngsters such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the latter having made his debut against the Cityzens, will be keen for more minutes too.
Lewis-Skelly has trained as a left-back and may well be required to deputise in the back line for this match.
After Bukayo Saka was taken off at half-time on Sunday, he ought to be fresh enough to start, whilst Gabriel Jesus will also be desperate for inclusion from the off.
David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Jorginho, Ethan Nwaneri, Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus.
