Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal managed a comfortable 3-1 victory over Eddie Howe led Cherries at the Emirates on Saturday. A brace from Alexis Sanchez and one from Theo Walcott was enough for the Gunners who will now turn their attention towards the League Cup quarterfinal against Southampton on Wednesday. With a trip tot the Olympic Stadium looming large over the weekend, Wenger is expected to field a weakened side for this game as he hopes that Claude Puel’s men do not provide too much of a competition.
Here is the predicted lineup that Wenger might play for this game against Reading:
Team News:
In early team news, Chuba Akpom, Hector Bellerin, Santi Cazorla, Danny Welbeck, Per Mertesacker and Lucas Perez are all ruled out for this League Cup game. Mathieu Debuchy who was forced off early against Bournemouth is not too badly injured but may not be risked for this game.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Emiliano Martinez:
Kept a clean sheet in the previous round of the competition and should keep his place in the side in what will be a huge game for the 24-year old.
Carl Jenkinson:
With Debuchy picking up a knock at the weekend, Arsene Wenger will have to use Jenkinson on the wing for this game against Southampton.
Gabriel Paulista:
The 4th choice centre back for Wenger, Paulista will get his chance to impress the manager in this League Cup encounter against Southampton.
Rob Holding:
The English defender has not been able to get back into the first team at the club but he will get his chance in this League Cup encounter.
Kieran Gibbs:
With Nacho Monreal busy with the Premier League duty, Gibbs will be back in action for Arsenal, playing in a left-back position in this game at the Emirates.
Francis Coquelin:
An unused substitute in the game at the weekend, Coquelin should be bought back into the starting XI for this game against Southampton.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles:
The youngster put in a commanding performance in the previous round against Reading and should keep his place in the midfield for this fixture.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
The English winger has been in decent form this season but has not been able to find consistency. However, he will be back in action this week against Southampton.
Aaron Ramsey:
The Welshmen has also found it hard to get into the first team at the Emirates but he should start this game against Southampton in the League Cup.
Alex Iwobi:
Another unused substitute in the game against Bournemouth, Iwobi should start on the wing for the Gunners in this game against Southampton.
Olivier Giroud:
The Frenchman got just over 10 minutes at the weekend and he should lead the attacking line for the Gunners in this quarter-final.