A place in the League Cup quarter-finals is on the line as Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion go head-to-head in a handsomely-looking fourth-round tie at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite being heavily fancied to make it out of round four by the world’s leading bookmakers, the Gunners would be well-advised not to underestimate the task at hand.
Priced at 1.5 to win in regulation, Mikel Arteta’s men head into proceedings as huge betting favourites after piecing together an impressive seven-game winning streak across all competitions. Much like the rising popularity of Sweet Bonanza BetPanda among online gaming enthusiasts, Arsenal’s current form has captured the attention of fans and bettors alike, blending entertainment with high-stakes excitement.
However, the North London giants must tread carefully, considering Brighton have been something of a bogey team for them in recent years, proving a thorn in their side last season.
Impressive milestone
Whatever transpires on Wednesday evening, it will be a landmark occasion for Arsenalas they gear up for their 250th outing in the League Cup.
There’s no better way to celebrate this achievement than booking a quarter-final berth and staying in contention for mid-season silverware.
Yet, the Gunners would be naive to take Brighton for granted, especially after drawing both league matches against the Seagulls last season.
It’s also worth mentioning that the visitors emerged 3-1 victors from the last League Cup tie between the two sides.
Ominously, that fixture took place on this ground in November 2022, when Brighton outclassed Arsenal to make it to the fourth round.
Fine form
Things have drastically changed for the London club since that calamitous performance in the capital, as they’ve thrived on all fronts under Arteta’s guidance.
Arsenal have gone from strength to strength since a 1-0 defeat to reigning Premier League holders Liverpool in late August, as they head into this clash on a ten-match unbeaten streak.
Seven consecutive victories, including five without conceding, form part of that outstanding sequence, which also features a comfortable 2-0 win over lower-league Port Vale in this competition.
The remarkable depth of Arteta’s squad places the hosts in an excellent position to mount a serious challenge for several titles, including a long-awaited League Cup trophy.
Indeed, Arsenal last hoisted the League Cup crown in 1993. However, they have since fallen short in several finals and semi-finals, most recently contesting the title-deciding fixture in 2018.
Tricky opposition
Brighton have developed a reputation for upsetting the odds against England’s elite, even though they slumped to a 4-2 defeat against Ruben Amorim’s resurgent Manchester United on Saturday.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side will be out to perform another ‘giant killing’ and return to winning ways after the Red Devils knocked them down from a five-match unbeaten run.
Regardless of the outcome, the Seagulls have already carved their name out in the League Cup history books, becoming the first side ever to win back-to-back matches via a six-goal margin.
They dismantled Oxford United 6-0 in their curtain-raising contest before that same scoreline saw them put Barnsley to the sword in the previous round on the back of Diego Gomez’s quartet of goals.
On a more troubling note, the fourth round has long proven to be Brighton’s undoing. They haven’t reached the EFL Cup quarter-finals since the 1978/79 campaign and have fallen at this stage in four of the last five seasons.
Team News
According to the Evening StandardArsenal could be without four first-team stars on Wednesday.
William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli are struggling with minor fitness issues.
With a must-win Premier League trip to Burnley around the corner, it’s hard to expect Arteta to take unnecessary risks in cup action.
Cristhian Mosquera could, therefore, make a rare start for the Gunners in defence, with Christian Norgaard expected to fill Rice’s shoes in the middle of the park.
Bukayo Saka could be given a rest, with Ethan Nwaneri poised for a much-anticipated return to the starting line-up.
Potential starting XI: Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Eze, Norgaard, Merino; Nwaneri, Gyokeres, Trossard.
