Arsenal Predicted XI vs Fleetwood: Max Dowman in Line for Carabao Cup Chance

Arsenal head to Highbury Stadium on Tuesday night with a quarter-final place in the Carabao Cup on the line, and the team selection looks straightforward enough. Mikel Arteta has a Premier League meeting with Liverpool around the corner, so rotation is coming. A lot of it.

The headline call is Max Dowman. The teenager is expected to start after catching the eye in the previous round against Ipswich, when he scored twice. Asked directly whether Dowman would be in from the start, Arteta kept it brief: “Let’s see.” That usually tells you plenty.

Max Dowman ready for Arsenal opportunity

Dowman is likely to feature from the right, with Arsenal using this Fleetwood tie to spread minutes around the squad. Noni Madueke has taken on greater attacking responsibility with Bukayo Saka injured, and this feels like the obvious moment to protect him.

There is similar logic elsewhere. Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori could all be given the night off. Arsenal do not need to overcomplicate this. Fleetwood away in the Carabao Cup is exactly the kind of game where rotation should happen.

Carabao Cup rotation opens door

That creates room for Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, both of whom need minutes after injury disruption. Martin Zubimendi is also pushing for a rare start, while Myles Lewis-Skelly may get the midfield role usually occupied by Rice. Further forward, Mikel Merino is expected to operate in a more advanced position.

At the back, 17-year-old Marli Salmon could come into central defence alongside Mosquera. It would be a notable step, but this is the competition and the opponent for it.

Fleetwood clash offers Gyokeres opening

Viktor Gyokeres still has not scored for Arsenal this season. No drama, but forwards need goals and this is a decent chance to get one. Christos Tzolis is stepping up his recovery from a hamstring problem, though this game may arrive too soon.

Predicted Arsenal XI vs Fleetwood: Kepa, White, Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Merino, Eze, Gyokeres.

Injured: Saliba, Saka. Doubts: Calafiori, Tzolis. Kick-off is 8pm GMT on Tuesday October 28 at Highbury Stadium.