Photo credit: Getty Images/ Marc Atkins

By Paul Stevens

The return of the EFL Cup comes at the perfect time for Arsenal. The Gunners have played what feels like three intense and energy-sapping games in the space of a week.

First came the 80^th minute winning goal from Noni Madueke at the City Ground. Then came arguably the highest intensity match Arsenal have played all season and the fantastic 82^nd minute equaliser from Declan Rice at the Allianz. Three days later saw Arsenal’s convincing 2-0 win against Everton at the Emirates.

The EFL Cup tie away to Fleetwood finally gives Mikel Arteta the chance to heavily rotate his side ahead of a potentially title-defining clash away at Anfield. Several members of the squad are already in dire need of rest. David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes have played every single minute of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign and every second of the Champions League so far.

Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, Ezri Konsa, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz all have incredibly elevated levels of match minutes under their belts. Notably, all but Calafiori played significant minutes last season and featured heavily for their respective countries in the World Cup.

Even with the heavily rotated starting line-up which I expect, Arsenal go into the fixture as heavy favourites. Fleetwood ply their trade in League Two and currently sit 18^th in the table. In Fleetwood’s opening five league fixtures, they have recorded three losses, a draw and one win, so they come into the Arsenal fixture very much in mixed form.

Treatment table

William Saliba continues to recover from his back injury, although the Frenchman is getting closer to an Arsenal return.

Christos Tzolis is also getting closer to a return from his hamstring injury and might even make the bench for Arsenal’s fixture at Anfield, but the Fleetwood fixture will come too soon.

Bukayo Saka will certainly miss the match with the thigh injury picked up in the 2-2 draw away at Bayern Munich. Saka is expected to have more scans and fans will wait nervously for detailed news on the winger’s injury.

For Fleetwood, the League Two side will be missing Kane Thompson-Sommers, who is out for three to four months after having surgery. But otherwise, Arsenal’s hosts are fully fit.

Player focus

After Arsenal’s last round EFL win at Ipswich, I could only select one player for this week’s player focus. Arsenal fans on social media have been calling for 16-year-old Max Dowman to feature more for the first team this season and he is sure to start against Fleetwood on Tuesday night.

The game state has not really allowed for Mikel Arteta to bring in the teenager so far this season and I fully understand it if Arteta wants to protect Dowman from the spotlight, but it is getting harder and harder to leave him out.

The significant injury to Bukayo Saka will present Dowman with an opportunity to force Arteta’s hand and be included in not only match day squads but also become one of the first substitutes for the Arsenal boss to bring on.

The youngster brings an electric energy and is fearless on the ball whenever he comes onto the pitch and his incredible talent is undeniable. Every Arsenal fan will hope that Dowman can take his chance against Fleetwood and add to his two goals already scored in the competition.

Predicted Line-Up

My predicted line up for this fixture will focus on giving as many minutes as possible to what is becoming a selection of fringe senior players.

In goal is a tough choice but I think Kepa Arrizabalaga will start.

At left back I think Piero Hincapie will play.

At centre back I feel Arteta will bring Cristhian Mosquera back into the defensive line to partner Ben White.

At right back I think young Marli Salmon will complete Arsenal’s backline.

Then in the midfield Martin Zubimendi will likely play the number six role. In the duel eight roles I expect Myles Lewis-Skelly to line up alongside Mikel Merino.

In the forward line I think Max Dowman will certainly start on the right wing and hope to add to his two goals scored in the previous EFL round away at Ipswich.

Lower league opposition will give Viktor Gyokeres a chance to build confidence as I expect Mikel Arteta to start Kai Havertz in Arsenal’s next match away to Liverpool.

Then comes a dilemma on the left. I would not risk Eberechi Eze as the Englishman will be needed at Anfield. So, I am backing Andre Harriman-Annous to start. The youngster started for the under-21 team in this role during their 5-1 loss away at Barnet. The 18-year-old has also been part of several first team squads in recent months.

This match will also give Arteta another opportunity to include many of the under-21 players in the first team squad. I fully expect to see several of the academy’s young guns, even if they just fill a role on the Arsenal bench.

A few of the most promising looking talents could travel and have the chance to gain valuable playing minutes with the first team; Ceadach O’Neill, Theo Julienne, Ife Ibrahim, Jaden Dixon, and James Scanlon could all have a place on the Arsenal bench.