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Arsenal receive unexpected triple title boost as dream Carabao Cup scenario emerges

Arsenal have seen three potential Premier League title boosts from their win over Bolton
-Credit: (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)


Arsenal eased past Bolton in the third round of the League Cup as their unbeaten start to the new season went on. Mikel Arteta decided to make many changes from the weekend stalemate against Manchester City and thankfully enjoyed an evening lacking in controversy.

Instead, fans inside the Emirates Stadium were treated to four new debuts from the academy who all received fantastic cheers. Arteta himself has been scrutinised in the past for not dipping into the youth side and by increasing the number of first appearances of Gunners starlets to 12 the Spaniard has certainly responded to those claims.

However, it is difficult to get away from the reality of the title race and the League Cup might have offered some distraction but there were still tangible benefits to the club’s domestic ambitions. football.london rounds up three of the main boosts to their hopes and ambitions for the Premier League.

Injury reassurances

Both Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori came off against Manchester City and while certainly the former was felt to be tactical, both Arteta’s pre-match press conference and the necessity of the Italian’s substitution on the weekend raised big worries amongst fans. However, that fear was quickly relinquished.

The pair were a key part of the win over Bolton and while Calafiori continues to bed into the side and English football, the fans were calling for him to shoot at any opportunity after his heroics at the Etihad Stadium. Saka meanwhile was producing some of his best dazzling football with runs, twists, turns, crosses and shots but sadly couldn’t get on a scoresheet.

A draw of dreams

I know… I should not be tempting fate here but for so long Arsenal have not had the luck of the draw with both Manchester City and Liverpool knocking out the Gunners of the FA Cup. Having the chance to play a rotated side again against a tougher opposition compared to Bolton of course and away from home too will give Arteta some reprieve.

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Title rivals City and Liverpool though have away trips to Spurs and Brighton respectively which should cause them far more challenge and pressurise the coaches to use key figures. With so many all-Premier League ties, the competition could somewhat open up for the Gunners and the boosts the tournament can bring through an early trophy have been used by Pep Guardiola on many occasions - something Arteta could now replicate.

Odegaard replacement

When Martin Odegaard was injured with Norway and Arsenal had not signed another midfielder in the summer beyond Mikel Merino - who is also currently out injured - the question of who would replace him of course was strong among supporters. Leandro Trossard, who was suspended, played against both City and Spurs but perhaps the answer lies within.

Ethan Nwaneri’s two goals will have been beyond his wildest dreams or perhaps instead simply part of the plan. Seeing the 17-year-old deliver on an important night with three winnable Premier League matches to come could indeed see Arteta emboldened should he look to build a pathway for Nwaneri to fill in for the club captain.