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Confirmed line-ups: Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon: Partey, Martinelli & Nketiah start

By on September 22, 2021

thomas partey arsenal

AFC Wimbledon come to the Emirates tonight to take on Arsenal in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Mikel Arteta has named a stronger than expected squad for the game but the boss has still made several changes from the side that beat Burnley in the Premier League at the weekend.

Bernd Leno returns in goal with Aaron Ramsdale making way while Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are recalled to line-up in defence. Ben White and Gabriel are rested along with Kieran Tierney so Nuno Tavares starts at left-back.

Arsenal have taken a huge [and unnecessary] risk in starting Thomas Partey tonight so he lines-up in midfield along with Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Mohamed Elneny returns to the bench [should have started instead of Partey!].

Cedric Soares is selected ahead of Calum Chambers at right-back while Eddie Nketiah is given a chance to impress in attack. Gabriel Martinelli also returns to the fold for Arsenal as he supports Alexandre Lacazette. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is given the night off but Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are named on the bench along with Folarin Balogun.

These are the line-ups for the game:

Arsenal

Leno; Cedric, Holding, Mari, Tavares; Sambi, Partey, Maitland-Niles; Martinelli, Lacazette, Nketiah.

Subs: Hein, Chambers, Kolasinac, Elneny, Smith Rowe, Saka, Balogun

AFC Wimbledon

Tzanev; Lawrence, Rudoni, Heneghan, Nightingale; Palmer, Woodyard; Walker, McCormick, Assal; Hartigan.

Subs: Csoka, Alexander, Mebude, Pressley, Chislett, Oualah, Marsh.