Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Fleetwood: Max Dowman, Marli Salmon start EFL Cup fourth-round clash

By Ben Knapton | 25 Oct 2026 11:25, Last updated: 25 Oct 2026 11:29

Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman is expected to beryllium among a raft of changes from the Gunners erstwhile they look Fleetwood Town successful the 4th circular of the EFL Cup connected Tuesday nighttime astatine Highbury Stadium.

The 16-year-old bagged a brace successful Arsenal's 4-2 triumph implicit Ipswich Town successful September's opening battle, starring him to beryllium named the Player of the Third Round, but helium has been restricted to conscionable 19 Premier League minutes frankincense acold this term.

However, Dowman volition undoubtedly travel into the archetypal XI against the Gunners' League Two opponents, and helium whitethorn beryllium 1 of 3 teenagers trusted from the archetypal whistle.

While Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres conflict for Premier League and Champions League starts, 18-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous could pb the enactment connected this occasion, supported by Dowman, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino successful the last third.

The fit-again Martin Zubimendi should besides beryllium considered for an progressively uncommon commencement successful midfield, apt alongside Myles Lewis-Skelly arsenic Declan Rice - who was seen holding his hamstring aft Saturday's Premier League occurrence implicit Everton - is granted a hard-earned rest.

Lewis-Skelly returning to a midfield relation opens the doorway for Piero Hincapie to instrumentality astatine left-back aft recovering from his ain ankle injury, portion Jurrien Timber for Ben White is becoming a communal right-back power and should beryllium enacted erstwhile more.

Despite being taken disconnected astatine fractional clip successful an Under-21s nonaccomplishment to Leicester City connected Saturday, Marli Ellis Salmon is afloat acceptable and expected to commencement alongside Cristhian Mosquera astatine the back, forming the cardinal obstruction successful beforehand of stand-in goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arsenal imaginable starting lineup:

Kepa; Timber, Salmon, Mosquera, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman, Merino, Eze; Harriman-Annous