Arsenal team news: Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud set to start League Cup clash
EXCLUSIVE | By Editor Wayne Veysey
Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud are set to start Arsenal’s League Cup clash against Sheffield Wednesday tonight, Football Insider sources understand.
Arsene Wenger will pick a strong team for the fourth-round tie Hillsborough even though he will make changes from the side that defeated Everton 2-1 last Saturday.
Mertesacker, who missed out with an illness at the weekend, will captain the visitors, while in-form Giroud is in line to return and spearhead the attack.
Giroud started against Everton after Arsene Wenger decided to give Theo Walcott a rest. The Frenchman responded with his fourth goal in five matches.
Wenger explained beforehand: “We have to be cautious with Walcott. He has a little bit of a recovery problem. We did not want to risk it.”
The other Arsenal team news is that Calum Chambers, Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Flamini are expected to start, although a shoulder injury to No2 goalkeeper David Ospina means that Petr Cech will get the nod in goal.
Wednesday defeated Premier League opposition in the third round, earning a 1-0 win at Newcastle despite making 10 changes from their previous Championship game. Carlos Carvalhal’s side are unbeaten in their last eight matches.