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football.london reporters select their Arsenal starting XIs for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nKepa Arrizabalaga is hoping to keep his place between the sticks for Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Arsenal are gunning for their first piece of silverware of the season as they prepare to go head-to-head with Premier League title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta is waiting to learn if captain Martin Odegaard and right-back Jurrien Timber are available, though the Dutchman is seemingly more likely than the playmaker to return to the fold.<\/p>\n
Arteta faces a massive call between the sticks as Kepa Arrizabalaga has started all of the club’s League Cup matches on the road to Wembley. But there is still a chance David Raya could get the nod.<\/p>\n
Here are our football.london<\/strong> reporters’ XIs for Sunday’s mouthwatering showdown.<\/p>\nFOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\nTom Canton<\/h2>\n The big decision is likely the goalkeeper, and for me, in a cup final, you have to pick your best team, and that is why David Raya starts over Kepa Arrizabalaga.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, the reliance is that Jurrien Timber is ready to return to the side and that left me in a predicament.<\/p>\n
Practically, the left-back for me to balance things would be Riccardo Calafiori, to pair with the Dutchman, but Piero Hincapie has been in such good form that it simply has to be him for this game.<\/p>\n
Then up top Viktor Gyokeres makes way for Kai Havertz who has begun to reclaim the number nine role.<\/p>\n
While then on the left, with Leandro Trossard not entirely fit, I would be tempted to throw Noni Madueke onto the left flank for some speed and pace down the sides to get at Matheus Nunes and cause all sorts of problems.Canton\u2019s Arsenal XI:<\/strong> Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Havertz, Madueke<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n
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\nTom Canton would like to see Kai Havertz lead the line for Arsenal<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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Ryan Taylor<\/h2>\n There’s a few key selections for Mikel Arteta but whatever starting XI he selects, he will have great options from the bench that can really have a big impact upon this game.<\/p>\n
Assuming he will be fit, Jurrien Timber has to return at right-back and I’d also go for Piero Hincapie over Riccardo Calafiori at left-back. Hincapie is a warrior that will not give Manchester City’s forwards a moment’s peace.<\/p>\n
Eberechi Eze starts in midfield following his showstopper against Bayer Leverkusen and there are several difficult calls to make in attack.<\/p>\n
I’d go with Bukayo Saka on the right, Leandro Trossard on the left and Viktor Gyokeres as the centre-forward. Kai Havertz could easily start at centre-forward and I am torn because I think he’d link the play very well.<\/p>\n
Gyokeres is also a threat from the bench but I just feel the Swede’s energy could be key to disrupting City’s backline at Wembley. Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke will also be useful impact subs.Taylor’s Arsenal XI<\/strong>: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard<\/p>\nWelcome to ‘Seeing Red’ – our new Arsenal podcast<\/h3>\n\n
We’ve launched a new Arsenal podcast ‘Seeing Red’ with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n
Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta’s side every step of the way – and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n
It’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n
The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League – and they’re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
We’ll provide insight and reaction – and have fun along the way – as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n
No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We’ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n
Click here to view our YouTube channel<\/p>\n
Click here to download our podcasts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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