Arsenal travel to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday, October 27, for an EFL Cup fourth-round tie that gives Mikel Arteta room to rotate after Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Everton. The Gunners have 21 points from eight league matches, and with Liverpool next on their schedule, Arteta must manage his players’ minutes carefully.
Fleetwood, meanwhile, reached the fourth round for the first time after beating Sheffield United 1-0. Arsenal booked their place with a 4-2 win over Ipswich Town, when Max Dowman scored twice.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Fleetwood
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Marli Salmon, Piero Hincapié; Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Max Dowman, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze; Viktor Gyökeres.
Arteta should make several changes. Kepa could replace David Raya, while 17-year-old Salmon may partner Mosquera with William Saliba still out because of a back injury. White could keep his place at right-back, although Jurrien Timber offers another option if Arteta wants to manage minutes. Hincapié has worked back from an ankle problem and could return if the medical staff clear him.
Zubimendi should get a midfield start, with Lewis-Skelly dropping deeper as Declan Rice nurses a hamstring concern. Arteta may rest Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel, while Merino and Eze can provide creativity behind Gyökeres. In attack, Bukayo Saka remains sidelined with a quadriceps injury, while Christos Tzolis continues his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Can Arsenal progress without overworking their regulars?
Fleetwood have yet to concede in this season’s EFL Cup, and their 1-0 win over Sheffield United showed they can defend a narrow lead. Arsenal must move the ball patiently, then use Dowman’s direct running and Eze’s close control to unsettle the home defence.
The Gunners have progressed from eight of their previous nine League Cup ties against fourth-tier opponents, a record that offers encouragement but won’t guarantee an easy evening. Arteta’s rotated side must still show concentration, particularly if changes disrupt their usual rhythm.
