Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has made his predictions for the Carabao Cup fourth round ties, perhaps rustling a few feathers in the Arsenal camp ahead of their clash against West Ham United.
"This one's a big one. It depends on what teams get put out because I'm not sure the changes West Ham will make with them being in the Europa League as well, so I'm going to go for West Ham on penalties," he wrote in his column for EFL. "I think it’ll be a really tight game and Arsenal will make a few changes."
Judging by the form book, Carragher's prediction is a surprise. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions - winning three and coming from 2-0 down to draw with Chelsea in the other - whilst the Hammers have lost three of their last four.
However, to the Sky Sports pundit's point, tonight's clash could very well be tight. In fact, two of the last three meetings between the two sides at the London Stadium have finished all square and if that's the result after 90 minutes then a penalty shootout will decide who progresses to the quarter-final.
But to oppose Carragher's prediction with regard to the winners, Arsenal's record from the spot this season alone - and taking pre-season into account - is near perfect which should give Mikel Arteta some confidence if he needs to name five takers - or more - against the Hammers.
In 10 Premier League games so far this campaign, the Gunners have been awarded six penalties. This is the most of any side across the entire division and every single one has been successfully converted. Those statistics prove Arteta has a squad of players who are comfortable from 12 yards and can handle the pressure of a shootout.
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Furthermore, it's worth pointing out that Arsenal have had four different penalty takers already this season. Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard lead the way with two conversions each whilst Kai Havertz opened his account for the club from the spot and Fabio Vieira scored his first goal of the season in this manner at the weekend.
As a result, it's safe to assume all four players - if on the pitch - will be selected to take one in a potential shootout. Now, Vieira is an interesting case as he missed against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly but has bounced back by scoring in the Emirates Cup victory over Monaco and clinching the Community Shield against Manchester City.
Elsewhere, Jorginho is one of the most reliable penalty takers around, Reiss Nelson and Cedric Soares have scored in successful shootouts for Arsenal previously, Leandro Trossard is two for two since joining the club in January whilst Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli would be expected to step up if on the pitch.
Possible wildcard options are Gabriel Magalhaes - who scored the winner against Monaco - and Declan Rice whose one and only successful penalty attempt from three came at the London Stadium when he ironically scored past Aaron Ramsdale in a win for West Ham against Sheffield United.
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