Max Dowman set to start for Arsenal at Fleetwood in Carabao Cup
Arsenal travel to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, 28 October (8pm GMT) with Mikel Arteta expected to rotate heavily. Teenager Max Dowman is in line for a start after scoring twice against Ipswich in the previous round, while several senior stars could be rested.
- Kick-off: 8pm GMT, Tuesday 28 October
- Venue: Highbury Stadium
- Competition: Carabao Cup quarter-final place at stake
- Headline selection: Max Dowman expected to start after brace vs Ipswich
- Injured: William Saliba, Bukayo Saka
- Doubts: Riccardo Calafiori, Christos Tzolis
Confirmed line-ups
No official line-ups have been confirmed yet. The following is the predicted Arsenal XI based on the source article.
Arsenal (4-3-3)
Starting XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Salmon, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman; Merino, Eze, Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Not stated in source.
Selection notes
Mikel Arteta is expected to rest several key players with a Premier League meeting against Liverpool on the horizon. Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori could all be given the night off. Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are injured. Noni Madueke, who has taken on greater attacking responsibility in Saka's absence, is likely to be protected. Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie need minutes after injury disruption, while Martin Zubimendi is pushing for a rare start. Myles Lewis-Skelly may occupy the midfield role usually held by Rice, with Mikel Merino operating further forward. Seventeen-year-old Marli Salmon could come into central defence alongside Mosquera. Viktor Gyokeres, yet to score for Arsenal this season, leads the line. Christos Tzolis is stepping up his recovery from a hamstring problem but this game may arrive too soon.
What was said
"Let's see."
Arteta's brief response is typical of a manager unwilling to hand opponents a tactical advantage, but it also signals that Dowman is firmly in his thinking. The teenager's two-goal display against Ipswich has earned him another opportunity.
The Arsenal boss has consistently used the Carabao Cup to blood academy talents and give fringe players minutes. Dowman's inclusion would continue that trend.
Injury and availability
- William Saliba: Injured, ruled out.
- Bukayo Saka: Injured, ruled out.
- Riccardo Calafiori: Doubt, could be rested.
- Christos Tzolis: Doubt, hamstring problem, unlikely to feature.
Why Arteta is right to trust Dowman and rotate
With Liverpool next in the Premier League, Arteta has little choice but to shuffle his pack. The Carabao Cup represents a genuine opportunity for squad players to stake a claim, and Dowman's eye-catching performance against Ipswich makes him the obvious candidate to start on the right. His direct running and finishing ability could unsettle a Fleetwood defence that will be wary of his threat.
In midfield, the potential inclusion of Myles Lewis-Skelly in a deeper role alongside Martin Zubimendi offers a glimpse into Arsenal's future. Lewis-Skelly's physicality and composure on the ball could allow Mikel Merino to push forward and support Viktor Gyokeres, who is desperate to open his account for the club. The Swedish striker's movement and hold-up play will be crucial against a lower-league side likely to defend deep.
At the back, the expected centre-back pairing of Cristhian Mosquera and 17-year-old Marli Salmon is a bold call, but both need minutes. Piero Hincapie at left-back and Ben White on the right provide experience. Kepa Arrizabalaga continues in goal. This is a balanced XI that should have too much for Fleetwood while keeping key men fresh for Liverpool.
Talking points
- Is starting two teenagers in defence – Salmon and Mosquera – a risk too far, even against lower-league opposition?
- Should Gyokeres be given the full 90 minutes to build confidence, or is he better served coming off the bench against Liverpool?
- Does Arteta's refusal to confirm Dowman's start suggest he might spring a surprise and leave him out?
- With Saka injured, is Madueke now undroppable for the Premier League, making his omission here essential?
What happens next
Arsenal face Liverpool in the Premier League after this Carabao Cup tie. A win at Fleetwood would secure a quarter-final place and maintain momentum, while also giving valuable minutes to returning players. The team news at 7pm on Tuesday will reveal the true extent of Arteta's rotation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Max Dowman starting for Arsenal vs Fleetwood?
Dowman is expected to start after scoring twice against Ipswich in the previous round, though Arteta would only say "Let's see" when asked directly.
What time is kick-off between Fleetwood and Arsenal?
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 28 October at Highbury Stadium.
Which Arsenal players are injured for the Fleetwood game?
William Saliba and Bukayo Saka are injured, while Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis are doubts.
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