Arsenal welcome League One opposition to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday when they take on Blackpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Unai Emery's side are on a 12-game unbeaten run, but saw their winning streak come to an end in their last outing as they played out a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
The Spanish coach is expected to rotate his squad somewhat for the Blackpool encounter in order to rest players for the upcoming meetings with Liverpool and Sporting.
Blackpool, who are 12th in League One, overcame Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers to book their meeting with the Gunners and they will be hoping to cause an upset.
| Game | Arsenal vs Blackpool |
| Date | Wednesday, October 31 |
| Time | 7:45pm GMT / 3:45pm ET |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can only be streamed live online by using ESPN+. It is not being broadcast live on television.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| N/A | ESPN+ |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game cannot be watched live on TV or streamed online. However, live updates can be followed on Goal here .
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| N/A | N/A |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Arsenal squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Cech, Leno, Martinez |
| Defenders | Bellerin, Sokratis, Koscielny, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal, Mavropanos, Kolasinac, Jenkinson, Medley |
| Midfielders | Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Ozil, Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi, Iwobi, Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe |
| Forwards | Lacazette, Welbeck, Aubameyang, Nketiah |
Arsenal have a number of absences to contend with ahead of the match, with Hector Bellerin the latest player to join the wounded. Laurent Koscielny and Dinos Mavropanos are also injured, as is Mohamed Elneny.
Carl Jenkinson starts for the Gunners, making his first appearence for the club since November 2016.
Confirmed Arsenal XI: Cech, Jenkinson, Mustafi, Pleguezueldo, Lichtsteiner; Guendouzi, Ramsey, Smith-Rowe; Maitland-Niles, Welbeck, Mkhitaryan.
| Position | Blackpool squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Howard, Boney, Sims, Mafoumbi |
| Defenders | Daniels, O'Connor, Nottingham, McLaughlin, Tilt, Turton, Bola, Bunney, Avon |
| Midfielders | Ryan, Heneghan, Spearing, Pritchard, Thompson, O'Sullivan, Taylor, Feeney, Guy, Adarkwa, Sinclair-Smith |
| Forwards | Delfouneso, Cullen, Clayton, Dodoo, Gnanduillet, Roache, Davies |
Blackpool will be unable to call upon striker Armand Gnanduillet, who is suspended after being sent off against Fleetwood Town, while Donervon Daniels is out of action due to injury.
Confirmed Blackpool XI: Howard, Nottingham, Heneghan, O'Connor, Bola, Turton, Spearing, Guy, Thompson, Feeney, Delfouneso.
Betting & Match Odds
As you'd expect, Arsenal are strong favourites to win the game, with bet365 giving odds of 1/9 on a Gunners victory. Blackpool's chances of winning are slim at 25/1, but a draw is available at 10/1.
Match Preview
Getty Images
The Carabao Cup may be considered somewhat of a reprieve for Arsenal following a gruelling run of fixtures in the Premier League and Europa League, but Emery is adamant that it is a "very important" trophy.
The Gunners boss has indicated that he will use the fourth round against Blackpool as an opportunity to elevate young players who he feels have earned the right to perform on a senior platform.
"We are going to have a mix in order to get the best performance against Blackpool, to respect them," Emery told reporters in the pre-match press conference.
"For us, the Carabao Cup is very important. It’s an opportunity to win a trophy and for tomorrow, a chance to play in front of our supporters at Emirates Stadium in this competition."
Emery will, no doubt, have one eye on the impending visit of Liverpool, which is scheduled for this Saturday, but there will still be room for a backbone of first-team regulars to offset the expected injection of youth.
Having put together a winning streak of 11 games prior to their draw with Crystal Palace, the Spaniard will be keen for his squad to resume that habit once again.
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