Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus could be set for his first start in close to a year when the Gunners welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates on Tuesday in the EFL Cup quarter-final.
The Brazilian famously tormented the Eagles with a hat-trick in this same fixture last season and has since featured three times from the bench after completing his comeback from a serious ACL injury.
Viktor Gyökeres proved decisive in Saturday’s narrow 1-0 Premier League victory away at Everton, but while the Swede delivered the winning goal, his overall performance was not entirely convincing. With his fitness improving, Jesus now looks ready to handle either a half or an hour on the pitch.
Arteta may also opt for changes in attack due to the quick turnaround, with Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli both in contention to replace Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard in a refreshed front three.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi appeared unusually off the pace against Everton, which could open the door for Christian Nørgaard to anchor the midfield. He may be joined by Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino in a reshaped trio.
At the back, Arsenal’s injury situation limits rotation, meaning William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori are expected to keep their places. Calafiori could shift into a left centre-back role, allowing Myles Lewis-Skelly to start at left-back while Piero Hincapié is given a deserved rest.
Jurrien Timber is also in need of a breather, but injuries to Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera leave Arteta short of options on the right, potentially forcing the manager to hand 19-year-old Joshua Nichols a rare opportunity.
Nichols’ only senior appearance for Arsenal came against Bolton Wanderers in last season’s EFL Cup, and he could feature in a reorganised defence in front of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal possible starting XI:
Kepa; Nichols, Saliba, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Nørgaard, Merino; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli