Arsenal drop Max Dowman and Piero Hincapie hint before Brighton cup clash

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and pictures from the Gunners’ training session suggest some changes could be on the cards

Arsenal head into Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion riding high after securing eight consecutive victories. Sunday’s 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace means the Gunners sit four points clear at the Premier League summit.

Eberechi Eze’s strike against his former club proved decisive in north London as Mikel Arteta’s squad capitalised on favourable results elsewhere. Now, focus shifts to cup competition.

Following last season’s semi-final appearance, Arsenal will be eager to go all the way in the Carabao Cup. Port Vale were dispatched in the previous round, though Brighton will pose a sterner examination.

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Given the rapid succession of fixtures facing Arteta’s team, alterations to the starting XI are expected on Wednesday. Prior to the match, the squad has been working hard at the Sobha Reality Training Centre.

Images have emerged from the preparations, so here are some observations we’ve made….

Fitness setback worry

Having played merely three days prior, Arteta’s side is dealing with the consequences of a congested fixture list. Regrettably, William Saliba represents the latest victim.

When questioned about the Frenchman’s condition, Arteta responded: “He’s out,” before adding: “We’re assessing him, but he won’t be involved in this match.”

In the training photographs released, Saliba was conspicuously absent. Declan Rice, who also departed early against Palace, is available, with Riccardo Calafiori also ready – both players were observed taking part in training.

Defensive boost

Piero Hincapie made his long-awaited Premier League debut on Sunday against Palace with eight minutes off the bench. The defender had been struggling with a groin injury following his switch from Bayer Leverkusen.

“He’s a warrior,” Arteta said. “He’s going to bring such intensity, physicality, and emotion to the team as well. His quality on the ball is a player that is super keen.

“He can play inside, he can play in wide position. He’s done it, as you said, in different ways. Now we need to get him up to speed because the moment that physically he’s at his best, he’s going to raise the level.”

Hincapie appeared prominently in the photographs published by the club and Wednesday night’s fixture could provide the ideal chance for him to earn his maiden start.

Dowman milestone

At 15, Max Dowman will have plenty of fans hoping to witness him start against Brighton this week. The youngster has appeared as a substitute in two Premier League matches this campaign, and he featured for 27 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Port Vale earlier in the cup.

With Bukayo Saka unable to last the full 90 minutes at the weekend and Gabriel Martinelli ruled out of the encounter, the forward might be set to be included in the starting XI for the first time.

The academy prospect was photographed in training during a 1v1 duel against Hincapie. Notably, there was no glimpse of Saka in the pictures published.

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