Carling Cup Preview: Predicting the Arsenal Starting XI vs. Shrewsbury Town

Arsenal can evade their lingering tragedy of English Premier League football and aim to regain some confidence and respect when the Gunners' encounter League Two outfit Shrewsbury Town in the Carling Cup Third Round at the Emirates.

On paper it appears to be a certain Arsenal victory, but as the renowned Carling Cup often highlights, it ceases to matter what league a team inhabits or how much money a team possesses, anything can occur. Furthermore Arsene Wenger's side have not been convincing since the 2011-12 campaign begun and boast the burden of a recent 4-3 loss to Blackburn.

However the Arsenal faithful adore Carling Cup football, particularly during the early rounds as Wenger has forever held a penchant to utilize his exciting array of youngsters during the tournament. Since the Frenchman's tenure in North London commenced in 1996, Wenger has used the Cup as a basis for teenagers to gain first team exposure and experience. Predominantly the Arsenal young guns love to attack, producing exciting football whilst rarely looking overwhelmed.

The likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere and Carlos Vela have all excelled in the Carling Cup and fans can expect to witness the next generation of young talent Wenger possesses. However the Gunners' cannot become complacent, the Shrews are a strong side despite their League Two presence and have defeated Championship giants Derby County and Premier League newcomers Swansea City in the process of reaching the third round. Furthermore Graham Turner's men sit third in the fourth tier of English football.

None the less BleacherReport predicts Arsenal's Starting XI.

Goalkeeper

As always Wenger is certain to utilize his deputy keeper for the encounter. This ensures inform shot stopper Wojciech Szczesny will be rested for the match and highly rated deputy Lukasz Fabianski will receive his first start for 2011-12.

The Polish keeper has not featured since January after suffering a broken shoulder last season. Fabianski was in sublime form during the first half of 2010-11 and was considered the dominant Arsenal keeper. Italian youngster Vito Mannone is likely to make the substitute bench but is set to take up a loan spell in the Italian Serie A shortly.

Veteran Manuel Almunia is still with the Arsenal first team despite the certainty of his departure during the recent Summer but will not feature.

Defenders

None of the defenders who played in the loss against  Blackburn are expected to play against the Shrews. Renowned right back Bacary Sagna, who was injured against Rovers', will be succeeded by teenager Carl Jenkinson, whose last match for the Gunners' was the 8-2 humiliation against Manchester United.

In the centre, exciting Spanish teenager Ignasi Miquel is set to make his second appearance of 2011-12 whilst veteran Sebastien Squillaci is set to also start. However the Frenchman, who is by no means a fan favourite, has endured a calf problem in recent weeks but should be capable of performing. However imposing Swiss Johan Djourou could start instead.

England international Kieran Gibbs is set to start at right back. Meanwhile exciting teenagers Nicholas Yennaris, Daniel Boateng, Sead Hajrovic and George Brisen-Hall will both contest for a place on the Arsenal bench. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny will both be rested alongside Andre Santos.

Midfielders

Czech play maker Tomas Rosicky is certain to start as the attacking midfielder. Rosicky will wear the captains arm band and will instill vital experience into the young Arsenal line up. Ghanaian teenager Emmanuel Frimpong, who has impressed since his transition to the Arsenal first team, will team with French youngster Francis Coquelin to implement physicality and defensive security into the midfield.

Hugely rated 18-year-old Chuks Aneke, who is touted as one of the best teenagers in England, is set to receive a bench role alongside Dutch play maker Oguzhan Ozyakup. Imposing Frenchman Abou Diaby and 2010/2011 PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere are both still nursing ankle injuries.

Forwards

The Carling Cup gifts Wenger to utilize his teenager wingers Ryo Miyaichi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who are highly regarded throughout Europe. Miyaichi is expected to start on the left and his performances on loan last season with Dutch side Feyenoord drew comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, a £15 million summer signing from League One side Southampton, is considered one of the most devastating young attackers in England, will start on the left. Furthermore Wenger will be able to unleash little known South Korean captain Ju Young-Park. The 26-year-old was a £3 million signing from AS Monaco in August and is yet to feature for the Gunners'.

This ensures young English forward Benik Afobe, who was outstanding on loan last season with Huddersfield in League One, will receive a place on the bench alongside first team striker Marouane Chamakh. Wenger may select Israel captain Yossi Benayoun for bench leadership and experience whilst Luke Freeman, Sanchez Watts and Rhys Murphy will all be considered for a place on the Arsenal bench.

Substitutes

Wenger has a range of substitute options but with only seven places on the Frenchman's bench, Vito Mannone is likely to be the back up keeper whilst George Brisen-Hall and Johan Djourou the emergency defenders.

Aneke andOzyakup will be the substitute midfielders with Chamakh, Afobe and Benayoun the impact attackers.

An exciting match for the Gunners' where some talented youngsters can showcase their talent. However defeat to League Two Shrewsbury Town could result in utter disarray for the out of form Arsenal.