Mikel Arteta has easy decision with Bukayo Saka and Arsenal stars vs Brentford in Carabao Cup

Arsenal are in Carabao Cup third round action against Brentford on Wednesday night, and Mikel Arteta has some big decisions to make with regard to who he hands a rest to

The fixtures are coming thick and fast for Arsenal. Three days removed from being held at home by Tottenham Hotspur, they have another London derby to negotiate.

This time against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium as the Gunners enter the Carabao Cup at the third round stage. But with the injuries starting to pile up, Mikel Arteta could be restricted with regard to rotation as he’s likely to be without as many as five first-team players.

As reported by football.london, Declan Rice – who had to be replaced at half-time in the North London Derby due to a back problem – is unlikely to be risked along with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. The cup tie comes too soon for Thomas Partey to return whilst Jurrien Timber is a long-term injury casualty.

With this being the first of four games in the space of 11 days for Arsenal, it’s important Arteta manages his squad carefully as his resources are already stretched as it is. Having said that, we take a look at the quartet who have certainly earned themselves the night off against Brentford.

Ben White

Having played every single minute of the Gunners’ competitive games so far this season, as well as the full 90 in the Community Shield penalty shootout win over Manchester City, Ben White needs a breather despite Timber and Partey who can operate at right-back being unavailable for selection at present

But with games against Bournemouth, Lens and Man City to follow, one would expect the 25-year-old’s fitness to be prioritised for those fixtures so it makes sense for him to be rested on Wednesday night. If this is the case then Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares or youngster Reuell Walters could get the nod at full-back.

William Saliba

The Frenchman’s 2022/23 campaign ended in March because of a back injury. Although, he has picked up right where he left off at the beginning of this and just like White, William Saliba has been ever-present for Arsenal thus far. But you do begin to wonder if he’s being overplayed considering he’s only just returned to action.

There is somewhat of an issue with regard to who can come in for the 22-year-old if he’s rested against Brentford as Partey and Timber’s injuries do complicate things. Tomiyasu is an option as is Jakub Kiwior who played as the right-sided central defender towards the end of last season.

Martin Odegaard

The Arsenal captain looked shattered in the second half against Tottenham. Perhaps he was affected by an early yellow card, but after being a one-man pressing machine in the first half, playing 90 minutes against Everton and PSV Eindhoven and for Norway during the international break appeared to take its toll.

Luckily, the Gunners do have an abundance of attacking midfielders that can take over the mantle on Wednesday night with Kai Havertz showing on international duty that the ‘right 8’ role could get the best from him, whilst Emile Smith Rowe will be pushing for his first start in well over a year.

Bukayo Saka

An obvious and probably popular option among some supporters to be rested. Bukayo Saka limped off against Spurs after sustaining a knock to his foot and there are always going to be concerns about his fitness considering the nature of his game and the rough treatment he receives, at times, from the opposing defender. So, this is where Arteta can manage the winger’s workload.

It was at this stage of the Carabao Cup last season – albeit in November due to the impact of the winter World Cup – where the Spaniard afforded Saka his one and only full rest of the campaign and if lightning strikes again then Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus are all options to start on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s attack.