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With Premier League matters on the back burner for a couple of days, Arsenal's attentions turn to the Carabao Cup and a fourth-round clash against West Ham United.
The Gunners head to the London Stadium in a confident mood. Since losing to RC Lens in the Champions League they've beaten Manchester City, Sevilla and Sheffield United in addition to earning a point away at Chelsea despite trailing 2-0 going into the final 20 minutes at Stamford Bridge.
In addition, Mikel Arteta has been able to welcome back some key Arsenal players from injury during this period as Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have all returned to action following a brief spell on the sidelines whilst Mohamed Elneny's availability bolsters the options in midfield.
This comeback has arguably come at the perfect time for the north London outfit because Thomas Partey is injured again. The Ghana international missed six weeks of the campaign before returning as a second half substitute against Man City, but he's had yet another setback and it could be a while before his next appearance.
The midfielder, Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber - a long-term absentee - are likely to be the three senior Mikel Arteta handed incentive to name strong Arsenal team in Carabao Cup tie after Man City exit players ruled out of the Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against the Hammers because of injury and this could have an impact on Arteta's plans to rotate his squad.
At the same time, the Spaniard knows what options are at his disposal as he could very well hand a recall to Aaron Ramsdale as the goalkeeper hasn't played since the third-round win over Brentford. Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson, Trossard and Fabio Vieira will all be pushing for starts too.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta has five Arsenal starters and Declan Rice dilemma for West Ham Carabao Cup clash
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta handed incentive to name strong Arsenal team in Carabao Cup tie after Man City exit
Although, as Eddie Nketiah and Ben White are the two senior players in immediate danger of missing a quarter-final tie in December - should the Gunners progress - could the threat of a one-game suspension hand Arteta somewhat of a team selection dilemma going into the London Derby?
As confirmed by the FA in their 'Essential Information for Players' 2023/24 season guide any player who accumulates two - or four for those teams who enter the competition at an earlier stage - bookings before the quarter-final cut-off point will have to serve an automatic one-match ban.
White and Nketiah were the only two Arsenal players to pick up a yellow card against Brentford and if both, or either player features at the London Stadium they'll have to tread carefully as another booking on Wednesday night would rule them out of a potential quarter-final tie.
Of course, Arteta can choose to rest both players. Cedric Soares and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the senior options at right-back whilst Kai Havertz and Trossard offer solutions as the central striker in the absence of Jesus.
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