Arsenal’s Young Guns Take Center Stage in Carabao Cup Clash Against Brighton
It’s a big night at the Emirates as Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup — and Mikel Arteta has certainly surprised everyone with his team selection. The Gunners’ boss has made as many as ten changes to his usual lineup, giving several youngsters a chance to shine under the lights.
Among them is 15-year-old Max Dowman, who has made headlines for becoming the youngest player ever to start a competitive match for Arsenal. Alongside him, 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous will also make his full debut — quite the occasion for two academy graduates who’ve been with the club since childhood. It’s a huge statement from Arteta, showing faith in the club’s future while managing the workload of his senior stars.
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Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga starts between the posts, replacing David Raya, while new signing Piero Hincapie lines up in defense alongside Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, and Myles Lewis-Skelly. In midfield, Mikel Merino wears the captain’s armband for the first time, supported by Christian Norgaard and Ethan Nwaneri. Up front, creative spark Eberechi Eze joins Dowman and Harriman-Annous in a young, exciting attack.
Brighton, meanwhile, have made six changes under Fabian Hürzeler, bringing in Jason Steele, Stefanos Tzimas, Charalampos Kostoulas, Olivier Boscagli, Diego Gomez, and Diego Coppola. The Seagulls have a history in this competition — they knocked Arsenal out three years ago — and will be looking to repeat that feat.
For Arsenal, this fixture is about more than just a quarterfinal spot. It’s a chance to test the depth of a squad that’s aiming for glory on multiple fronts. Arteta’s side has been flying high in the Premier League and Champions League, but they’ve yet to lift the Carabao Cup under his reign. With such talent waiting in the wings, it’s clear that competition for places is fierce.
The game kicks off at 7:45 p.m. in London, broadcast live on Sky Sports+ in the UK and available through several streaming platforms worldwide. Fans can expect a mix of youthful energy and tactical intrigue, as both teams approach the match with different priorities — Brighton hoping for another famous cup upset, and Arsenal eager to keep their momentum rolling.
Injury-wise, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba will miss the clash due to minor issues, while Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Riccardo Calafiori are all fit and available from the bench. With so many fresh faces in the lineup, tonight’s encounter feels like more than a cup tie — it’s a glimpse into Arsenal’s future, unfolding right now under the Emirates lights.
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