Arsenal Fringe Players Who Could Get a Chance vs. Chelsea

Arsenal face Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, with the Gunners looking to put right last year's shock exit to eventual finalists Bradford City.

However, with a schedule including fixtures against the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and a European tie at Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, expect Arsene Wenger to make a number of changes ahead of the clash.

With the Gunners enjoying such success in the Premier League, Wenger will likely rest key players to ensure they are fresh and avoid injuries ahead of a tough run of games.

Here, Bleacher Report takes a look at five potential inclusions in the Arsenal side tonight that has a rare chance to impress Wenger with a good performance.

Emiliano Viviano

With Wojciech Szczesny well and truly Arsenal's No. 1 for the foreseeable future, tonight could be the chance Emiliano Viviano needs to stake his claim.

He is yet to play for the senior side since arriving on loan from Palermo, but a Capital One Cup tie could be the chance the 27-year-old needs.

A clean sheet against Jose Mourinho's side would put some healthy pressure on the shoulders of Szczesny and would intensify the competition for places in an area that is crucial to the success of the team.

Serge Gnabry

He's recently signed a new contract with the club, and Serge Gnabry will likely get his chance again in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.

He played the full 90 minutes in the previous round against West Bromwich Albion and has made several appearances for the first team in the Premier League this campaign, scoring against Swansea earlier in the season.

Gnabry's potential is evident, and the chance to face some of the finest players in the league against Chelsea will be yet another arena for Gnabry to showcase his talents in front of the nation.

Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal will also get another opportunity to put pressure on his rival on Monday night, namely Kieran Gibbs.

Gibbs has been fantastic for Arsenal in helping them to the top of the league, which has led to Monreal being a frustrated spectator for the Premier League campaign.

He was another who got his chance in the previous round of this competition against West Brom, and he will no doubt be in the line-up again on Tuesday night as Gibbs is given a rest.

Monreal is a superb player, but has just found opportunities hard to come by. Of all the players that are sitting on the sidelines at the moment, Monreal is the one who is closest to a regular first-team berth.

Nicklas Bendtner

It seemed unlikely a few months ago that Nicklas Bendtner would be featuring in any Arsenal-related articles this season. His future seemed certain to be away from the club, but he is still here and is fighting Olivier Giroud out for a striking berth.

The only problem is, Giroud has been in sensational form this season—meaning Bendtner has barely had a sniff of an opportunity.

A good performance against Chelsea on Tuesday night would not necessarily see him in line to start in the Premier League. But it would certainly add some weight to the fact that he should be considered for a position in the side.

With Arsenal still likely in the hunt for another striker, Bendtner needs to take his chance on Tuesday.

Thomas Vermaelen

Who would have assumed that an article about Arsenal fringe players would have included the club captain?

It's bizarre that Thomas Vermaelen is really in this position. However, the truth is that Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been superb this season. That has left the door firmly shut on Vermaelen's chances of getting back in the side.

Tuesday night represents an important evening in Vermaelen's Arsenal career. With the possibility of the Belgian looking elsewhere should he continue to be denied games, a strong performance against Mourinho and his men in the cup tie could remind Wenger just how excellent a player he is.

Whatever the case, Vermaelen is too good to be sat on the bench.