Arsenal fans have taken to social media to react to Mikel Arteta's team selection for the Gunners' Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City.
The Spaniard has decided to name a very strong side to face the Foxes, living up to his word that he will be taking the competition seriously.
Bernd Leno remains in goal while new signing Runar Alex Runarsson finds a place on the bench. Rob Holding, David Luiz and Sead Kolasinac make up the back three which was the initial surprise for Arsenal fans.
Anticipation for a William Saliba debut was growing after his involvement with the Under-23s on Friday but the manager has opted against giving the 19-year-old his debut yet again.
Coming it at right wing-back is Ainsley Maitland-Niles with Bukayo Saka taking the left wing-back role and Mohamed Elneny manning the midfield alongside Joe Willock.
Nicolas Pepe makes his first start of the season off the right wing, Reiss Nelson will play off the left as Eddie Nketiah leads the line.
As well as being shocked about Saliba not being going a debut, Arsenal fans were incensed that neither Mesut Ozil nor Matteo Guendouzi were not even included on the bench despite training with the squad ahead of the game.
"We are going to take the Carabao Cup seriously, that is for sure," he told reporters ahead of his side's third round clash with Leicester City on Wednesday [September 23].
"Obviously with the fixtures we have, the number of games, it is very difficult. Maybe not in the first games but when the competition moves a little more forward, how teams – not just ourselves – are going to treat the competition.
"But we have to go day by day, lets see what position we are in for Wednesday to try and put out the strongest possible team to try and win it.
"I think it is [taken seriously enough].
"The last few seasons I think this competition for the clubs has raised [importance], there is only one winner in the Premier League.
"That leaves a lot of frustrated clubs and now everybody wants a title and you can see in the last few years that teams have used strong line-ups and the types of finals we have seen in recent years."
