Ipswich Town v Arsenal: Carabao Cup Match Preview, Team News and Prediction

Arsenal begin their Carabao Cup campaign this evening when they travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town in the third round.

Kick-off is at 8pm UK time, with Mikel Arteta’s side looking to continue an excellent start to the season and register a seventh consecutive victory in all competitions.

The Tractor Boys booked their place in this round by overcoming League One side Leicester City and will now face Arsenal in this competition for the first time since 2011, when the Gunners knocked Ipswich out over two legs in the semi-finals.

Arsenal Looking To Go One Better

There should be plenty of motivation for Arsenal in this competition after reaching last season’s final.

Unfortunately, that trip to Wembley ended in disappointment as the Gunners lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Now the journey starts again.

Arteta will undoubtedly make changes given the demands of the schedule, but Arsenal arrive at Portman Road having won their opening six matches of the campaign and will want to maintain that momentum.

Ipswich, meanwhile, have made an encouraging return to the Premier League.

After winning promotion in 2024, they suffered immediate relegation before bouncing straight back by finishing second last season.

There have already been signs that things could be different this time around.

A dramatic late home winner against Sunderland was followed by an entertaining 3-2 victory over 10-man Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Ipswich managed only four league victories during their previous Premier League campaign, but already have two from their opening four matches this season.

Team News

Jurrien Timber returned to action during the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland, making his first appearance since the Champions League final in May.

He replaced Ben White, who was forced off at half-time with an injury.

Cristhian Mosquera and William Saliba both missed the Sunderland victory as they continue their recoveries from respective injuries.

For Ipswich, summer signing Emersonn came off during the 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace with a quad issue, although manager Gary O’Neil indicated that the Brazilian striker was likely to have been rested for this match regardless.

Jack Taylor is sidelined with a knee problem, while Azor Matusiwa has a thigh issue but could still be available.

Zian Flemming is eligible despite having featured for Burnley earlier in the competition following a change to EFL rules.

What The Managers Say

In his Ipswich Presser, Arteta suggested there will be no shortage of players putting themselves forward for selection:

“We’ll look at the players’ eyes and they will say they want to play, and ‘I want to win a game, and I want to improve.’

“They will review the [Sunderland] game, and they will be willing for more because I know the boys.”

O’Neil is also expecting changes from both managers but insists Ipswich will approach the tie looking to progress, saying: “We’re going to give it our best go at home under the lights.”

Arsenal Must Respect The Threat

This looks like exactly the type of cup tie Arsenal cannot afford to approach casually.

Arteta is likely to use his squad, but Ipswich have already demonstrated that they can make Portman Road a difficult place for Premier League opposition.

For Arsenal, though, this is another opportunity to keep the winning run going while giving valuable minutes to players who may not have started regularly.

After going all the way to Wembley last season only to fall at the final hurdle, another serious Carabao Cup challenge begins tonight.

Prediction: Ipswich Town 1-3 Arsenal

What do you think, Gooners? How many changes should Arteta make tonight, and are you expecting Arsenal to safely book their place in the fourth round? Let us know in the comments.

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