Mikel Arteta has left Declan Rice out of Arsenal’s squad to face Crystal Palace after the midfielder came off with a niggle against Everton at the weekend.
Arsenal take on Palace this evening for a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and Arteta has made eight changes to his team for the all-London clash at the Emirates.
Kieran Tierney comes in for Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back to make his first appearance of the season, while Raheem Sterling has been given the nod in a new-look attack with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.
Mikel Merino is the sole midfield survivor from Arsenal’s clash with Everton and the Spaniard starts in the engine room alongside teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri and Jorginho, who skippers the Gunners.
Club captain Martin Odegaard has been named among the substitutes in north London after being replaced in the second half of Arsenal’s goalless draw with the Toffees.
Rice, meanwhile, has been left out altogether after Arteta revealed the England international ‘felt something’ before coming off the field on Saturday.
‘I had to take him [Rice] off because he was feeling something,’ Arteta told reporters when asked about his second-half changes against Everton.
Arsenal vs Crystal Palace line-ups
ARSENAL XI: Raya, Partey, Timber, Kiwior, Tierney, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard, Jesus
Subs: Setford, Saliba, Gabriel, Kacurri, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
PALACE XI: Henderson, Kporha, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Subs: Turner, Ward, Nketiah, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Richards, Doucoure, Devenny.
‘With Martin [Odegaard], it was a tactical decision to try to change the rhythm especially on that side.
‘I understand if Ethan comes in and scores a goal it’s a great substitution.
‘If he doesn’t you have taken your captain out. That’s football.’
Tonight’s visitors – who saw off Aston Villa in the previous round – have handed a first start to 18-year-old defender Caleb Kporha, who replaces the suspended Daniel Munoz at right wing-back.
The teenager is the only change to Oliver Glasner’s starting XI that beat Brighton 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday.
The draw for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup will take place after Tottenham’s quarter-final tie with Manchester United on Thursday evening.
Newcastle do battle with Brentford and Southampton take on defending champions Liverpool in tonight’s other quarter-finals ahead of the final on March 16.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off, Arsenal head coach Arteta waxed lyrical about Palace, who have suffered just one defeat in their last nine games in all competitions.
‘They have been in great form, especially against big teams and have been getting some big results,’ Arteta said.
‘They have put out a strong starting XI tonight which tells us they have come here with big intentions.’
On his decision to hand Tierney a rare start, the Spaniard explained: ‘He was on loan at Real Sociedad and then had a long injury.
‘He has been training well and he’s been part of us.
‘It’s also a great opportunity for him as well.’
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