Timber risk, Nwaneri chance, Sterling point to prove – Possible Arsenal changes vs Bolton

Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the weekend would have left a number of the Gunners squad running on empty.

Leandro Trossard’s red card just before half-time meant Mikel Arteta’s side played the entire second half with 10 men. As you would expect this meant Man City dominated, with the home side recording 87.5% possession and taking 24 shots in the second half alone.

When John Stones scored the last gasp equaliser for Pep Guardiola’s team in the 98th minute, a number of the Arsenal players dropped to the floor in exhaustion. “The way the team competes is unbelievable. I’m so proud of them,” Arteta said after the game.

“You cannot be thrown in a more difficult situation against that kind of opponent. The way we handled that situation was unbelievable. I’m so proud of them.”

With the dust slowly settling attention now turns to Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third round clash against Bolton. The League One side travel to Emirates Stadium in poor form, with Ian Evatt’s side currently 18th in the league having won just two of their six games.

Given how hard Arteta’s players worked against Man City, it’s highly likely the Spaniard makes several changes for the match in north London. It could be the ideal opportunity to hand David Raya a rest given he has started all six of Arsenal’s games so far this season. Neto, on loan from Bournemouth, was signed on deadline day for games such as this so the 35-year-old could make his debut here.

At left-back it may be a tough ask for Riccardo Calafiori to start once more, with Arteta having one eye on Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leicester. Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was booked while on the substitutes’ bench on Sunday, showed he can play left-back during pre-season so could be handed some valuable minutes.

Jakub Kiwior looks certain to start against Bolton and may well just partner William Saliba at the heart of defence. Arteta doesn’t normally like too much rotation so it seems unlikely both Saliba and Gabriel will come out of the starting XI. With Ben White carrying a knock and Takehiro Tomiyasu still out injured, Arteta’s options at right-back are limited so he may be forced to start Jurrien Timber there once again.

In midfield and it could be the perfect time to give Ethan Nwaneri some decent minutes. Arsenal fans have been crying out for the 17-year-old to start since Martin Odegaard sustained an ankle injury on international duty, although so far he has only played four minutes of football, coming against Tottenham last week.

Nwaneri could be guided by the experienced Jorginho in the centre of midfield, with the Italian remaining an unused substitute against Man City. With Mikel Merino injured and Odegaard suspended, Declan Rice may be forced to start yet another game, although the former West Ham United captain has shown he has the engine for it.

Raheem Sterling will be desperate to start and potentially grab his first goal for the club. The winger, on loan from Chelsea, will probably play on the left hand side as Gabriel Martinelli looked knackered by the end of the City game.

Gabriel Jesus is another who could benefit from some minutes and if the Brazilian can get on the scoresheet it would do him the world of good. It’s also possible Bukayo Saka starts this one now considering the Englishman came off at half-time against City as Arteta made a tactical tweak following Trossard’s red card.

Possible Arsenal XI vs Bolton: Neto; Lewis-Skelly, Kiwior, Saliba, Timber; Rice, Jorginho, Nwaneri; Sterling, Jesus, Saka.