Arsenal predicted lineup vs Preston - Carabao Cup

There was a sense of deflation in Arsenal quarters after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, but there's a chance for the kids to enliven Gooner spirits on Wednesday night.

The Gunners are in Carabao Cup fourth round action as they take on Championship side Preston away from home.

Hale End was the big winner last time out in this competition as Premier League record-breaker Ethan Nwaneri recorded a brace in Arsenal's 5-1 triumph over Bolton and Mikel Arteta is poised to lean on youth for Wednesday's cup tie with the visitors aiming to advance into the quarter-finals.

Here's the starting XI Arteta could put out at Deepdale in the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Preston (4-3-3)

GK: David Raya - There was a goalkeeper crisis for the third-round tie against Bolton with Raya injured and Neto cup-tied, but Raya is fit for Wednesday's game and likely to get the nod over teenage alternatives.

RB: Josh Nichols - The young right-back started the third-round victory and is in contention again for the trip to Preston. Jurrien Timber is unlikely to feature, while Ben White could be used centrally.

CB: Ben White - Speaking of, White was impressive at centre-back against Liverpool and could continue at the heart of Arsenal's defence in midweek. William Saliba could earn minutes off the bench before he returns from suspension at Newcastle.

CB: Jakub Kiwior - The Poland international is the epitome of a 'squad player' and will get a start at Deepdale having filled in for the injured Gabriel in the second half on Sunday.

LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - Zinchenko has barely been seen since the opening weekend of the season, with the Ukrainian falling down the left-back pecking order having recently returned from injury.

CM: Jorginho - The veteran midfielder will have to do some child-minding on Wednesday with Arteta poised to unleash the kids in the middle of the park.

CM: Myles Lewis-Skelly - Lewis-Skelly hasn't garnered as much attention as another Hale End star, but he looks as equally comfortable at the highest level. Having earned the bulk of his senior minutes at left-back, the teenager could earn a midfield berth here.

CM: Ethan Nwaneri - Nwaneri sparkled in the third-round win over Bolton and supporters have been desperate to see more of the slick midfielder in recent weeks. They should get to see plenty of him on Wednesday night.

RW: Raheem Sterling - Arteta rarely offers Bukayo Saka respite, but he has to here...right?! Sterling hasn't played much since joining the club on loan but should come into the team for this cup tie.

ST: Gabriel Jesus - Jesus could don the armband against Preston with the Brazilian a sure bet to return to the XI having been limited to bench appearances for much of the Premier League campaign thus far. He needs a goal.

LW: Leandro Trossard - With Sterling coming in for Saka down the right, Arteta has a choice between Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli down the left. It's a toss-up.

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