Less than a month on from a demoralizing home defeat to Olympiakos, Arsenal are positioning themselves for what could be a hugely successful season.
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Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are a toss-up for a central role, with the starter likely to be on the bench for the game against Swansea this weekend. Whatever team Wenger selects should be capable of getting the job done. Mesut Özil may also sit out, although Wenger’s midfield options are limited.
Arsenal have kept just one clean-sheet in their last 11 away League Cup games (4-0 at Newcastle in 2010-11).
The only confirmed starter, though, is Petr Cech, who Wenger said will “certainly play”, due to the absence through injury of understudy David Ospina.
Calum Chambers, Mathieu Debuchy and Kieran Gibbs are all expected to get run-outs in defence with the likes of Gabriel Paulista, Laurent Koscielny, Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal all given breathers.
Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Jack Wilshere (fibula), Danny Welbeck and Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (both knee) all continue their rehabilitation.
Arsenal will be taking on Sheffield Wednesday for the first time since the Yorkshire side were relegated from the Premier League in 2000.
Tomorrow’s tie will be a repeat of the 1993 League Cup final which Arsenal edged 2-1.
The Owls now sit ninth in the Championship standings.
Head coach Carlos Carvalhal has promised to stick to his attacking principles as Sheffield Wednesday look to cause a cup upset. “It is not zero. Maybe in training I need to calm down a little”.
Meanwhile, Wednesday will give a start to 19-year-old goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith.
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Forward Fernando Forestieri is cup-tied and Carvalhal will also monitor knocks to Sam Hutchinson and Glenn Loovens.
