Arsene Wenger is set to make a number of changes when Arsenal welcome Southampton in the EFL Cup tonight.
The Gunners are set to give opportunities to some of their younger players, but they will also herald the return of summer signing Lucas Perez.
The striker hasn’t played since October, when he picked up an injury against Reading in the same competition.
Wenger confirmed the news via Arsenal’s official website:
“Lucas is in the squad and we will have a mixture of youth and experience, but still 90 percent of the first-team squad,” he said.
It’s just as well he’s back too, as Wenger has other concerns.
Olivier Giroud will not get the chance to continue his fine run of recent form, as he has a slight groin problem.
Mathieu Debuchy is another absentee, this time with a hamstring injury.
It remains to be seen whether Wenger will stick to his word with “90 percent” of the first-team featuring, but it’s clear he’s not taking Southampton lightly, and rightly so.
With a place in the semi-finals up for grabs, Arsenal may as well make the most of the first chance of silverware in the calendar.
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