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Arsenal v Doncaster: The Brief

Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott
Mohamed Elneny, Reiss Nelson, Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott

The last time we faced Doncaster Rovers, in the League Cup back in 2005, we needed a 119th-minute equaliser from Gilberto Silva to send the game to penalties, which we ultimately won.

Arsene Wenger will be hoping for a somewhat less stressful experience on Wednesday night, but he could be forgiven a wry smile when the Carabao Cup third-round draw pitted him against a Ferguson in the opposing dugout once again – this time it's Sir Alex’s son, Darren.

That is just a sideshow to the main event though, as a Gunners side – expected to feature a mix of rising stars and experienced performers like Jack Wilshere – aim to push our unbeaten run to four games and secure a fourth-round place for the 14th time in 15 seasons.

Read on for a comprehensive pre-match briefing - we’ve got an exclusive chat with Arsene Wenger, team news, match facts, graphics and a chance to test your knowledge.

 



ONE TO WATCH: ALEX IWOBI

Wenger on Alexi Iwobi’s performance against Chelsea: “He’s coming back into good form and I took him off because he’d given a lot already against Cologne and he looked a bit tired in the end, but overall he was available and accurate in his passing. In the last two games, he was involved in dangerous situations in the final third and I’m convinced that Alex will score goals and give assists.

“The next level is confidence, calm in front of goal and to keep his assets: that he’s available, with quick vision, quick potential to move the game forward and to work on his final pass, his finishing and get into areas where he can score. That’s what he needs to do - get into positions where he can finish because he’s a good finisher.”

 
Arsène Wenger on Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock

Arsène Wenger on Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock

 

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal: Welbeck (groin), Ozil (knee - doubt), Coquelin (hamstring)

Doncaster: Baudry (heel), McCullough (knee), Kiwomya (calf), Etheridge (ankle), Andrew (knee)

THE OPPOSITION

Tactical expert Michael Cox: Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson might not quite have the glittering record of his father, but he’s established himself as a fine Football League manager with an impressive track record. Having achieved back-to-back promotions and won the Football League Trophy during two spells with Peterborough United, he led Doncaster to promotion from League Two last season, at the first time of asking after relegation.

Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere could make his first start of the season

While not renowned as a particularly keen tactician, Ferguson is likely to vary his approach this evening, moving away from the 4-4-2 that is his default system in League One, for fear of his players being overrun in midfield.

THE LAST WORD

Wenger on the young players breaking through: “I must say they are comparable to the best I’ve ever had before. There are some young players who are really promising, and now we are at a stage where the first step is knowing that they have the quality. The second step is to continue to develop them through good coaching, and the third is to integrate them in the first team.

Reiss Nelson has impressed for the under-23s this season

"That’s the most difficult, the integration into the first team, because the competition is at such a high level in the Premier League that giving them game time is very difficult. This season is very important for some of them, and this competition is very important for some of them as well.”

Listen live to the Doncaster game

Listen live to the Doncaster game