Arsenal: Predicting the Starting 11 in Their Match vs. Newcastle United

Arsenal will encounter Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carling or League Cup. The Gunners are on a high, boasting successive League wins alongside thrashing rivals Tottenham in the previous round with a relatively second string side.

However Newcastle are in a similar position having just beaten West Ham 2-1. The Toons return to the Premier League has evoked some promising football, and Chris Hughton's men will be eager to knock out a big name side and reinstate their presence in English football.

The Carling Cup is always an exciting prospect for Arsenal fans as fringe players and boom youngsters are often blooded. Furthermore, Arsenal are often at their most exciting best during Cup tournaments which provides a great atmosphere for all viewers 

Albeit, it remains unclear whether Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will opt to utilize his highly renown youngsters or continue with first teamers to bolster the Gunners chances. None the less this article will attempt to predict and establish a starting XI for the Gunners.

Goalkeeper

Wenger always utilize a reserve keeper in Cup matches, but currently at the Emirates, it is tough to determine who is the current deputy and first choice shotstopper. With Lukasz Fabianski in immense form and starting in the last five Arsenal encounters, the Polish international is destined for a rest. Manuel Almunia has been nursing an elbow injury sustained against West Bromwich Albion in late September.

The Spaniard has regained fitness, but there is still the burning presence of Wojciech Szczensy. The highly touted youngster, who Wenger believes is the future Arsenal No. 1, is yet to appear in this campaign and recently voiced his frustration of lack of first team time, threatening to depart come January.

Whether Wenger opts to reward the 20-year-old with his second Arsenal appearance or enable Manuel Almunia to reinstate his worth as the Arsenal No. 1 remains to be unseen, but Almunia looms as the favourite.

Defence

Thomas Vermaelen has been absent from Arsenal's last 10 matches thanks to an Achilles injury sustained against Blackburn Rovers on August 28th. The Belgium, who is considered Arsenal's best defender and the leader of the backline, is expected to make his return against the Magpies.

Likewise with fellow centre half Laurent Koscielny who had been battling a back injury sustained against Chelsea three weeks ago. The Frenchman was named on the bench for the Gunners weekend win against Manchester City and will partner with Vermaelen at the heart of the defence.

Emmanuel Eboue is expected to deputize for Bacary Sagna at right back, but there is also the presence of boom youngster Harvard Nordtveit to be wary of. The Norwegian starlet has spent the last three seasons on loan with various clubs in Europe and is still yet to make his long awaited Arsenal debut. However Eboue is the favourite.

Meanwhile English international Kieran Gibbs will start at left back deputizing for Gael Clichy.

Midfielders

Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Alexandre Song, who were all so dominant against City, will be rested, ensuring Tomas Rosicky will start, and most likely captain the Gunners in Cesc Fabregas's absence. Denilson was a surprise starter on the weekend with many predicting Abou Diaby to start but the Frenchman failed to feature.

Diaby is likely to start alongside Rosicky and with Jack Wilshere enduring a three-match suspension, young gun Craig Eastmond is set to receive his first start of the season.

Forwards

Nicklas Bendtner is poised to receive his first start of the season after a leg injury kept the Danish sharpshooter absent for the beginning of the season. Marouane Chamakh will receive a well deserved break whilst Carlos Vela will also feature on the left wing in place of Andrei Arshavin.

Talented English youngster Henri Lansbury, who scored against Tottenham in the previous round is also expected to start on the right flank.

Robin van Persie could be a surprise starter if the Dutch maestro passes a fitness test, however, it remains as a highly unlikely prospect. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is also a valid option and may start ahead of Lansbury, but one would be more inclined to think the 19- year-old will be used to provide an impact off the bench.

Substitutes

With seven places up for grabs for the talented youngsters, one would expect Wojciech Szczensy to be given the backup keeper role and Harvard Nordtveit and Gavin Hoyte the backup defender. Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin are likely to be included for extra depth. Whilst Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Chuks Aneke, Connor Henderson, Rhys Murphy and Gilles Sunu will contest for the remaining two roles.