Arteta sends warning to his Arsenal players ahead of Fleetwood cup tie

Mikel Arteta is ready to rotate his Arsenal squad for their League Cup trip to Fleetwood Town as the Premier League champions look to keep their hopes of winning four trophies alive this season.

Arsenal travel to the League Two side having lost last season’s final to Manchester City, with Arteta keen to manage his players’ workload as they compete on multiple fronts.

The Spaniard made some surprise changes for the weekend victory over Everton and is expected to shuffle his pack again at Highbury Stadium, with Viktor Gyokeres and teenage prospect Max Dowman among those in contention to start.

Arteta refused to underestimate the challenge posed by Fleetwood, insisting his players must understand the responsibility that comes with wearing the Arsenal shirt.

“Show them the Arsenal shirt and what we represent and that’s it,” he said. “We need to go there and win the game. That’s it. It’s very simple.

“Our reputation, our pride, everything is in play. So every time you play a football match, and especially against a team in a different division, respect the game, respect every opponent because they deserve to do that. Then try to win and try to play a bit better than them.”

Arsenal will be heavy favourites against their lower-league opponents, but Arteta warned that the gap between teams can quickly narrow in knockout football.

“We have all won at some stage and we know with the risk and in football things can get very equal the moment you are able to match certain things,” he said. “That’s what our basics and habits have to be through the roof to be able to win a game.”

Gyokeres could be among those handed a starting opportunity after showing encouraging signs in recent appearances, despite being unable to find the net against Everton.

Arteta was pleased with the striker’s contribution, believing the Sweden international was unfortunate not to score.

“He was unlucky two or three moments. He’s in front of goal, he’s won the position to both centre-backs and the ball doesn’t get there,” he said.

“But he’s done a lot of good things, I think, today again and we need to keep insisting. I think he had a really good contribution in Munich as well when he came on. He helped us to change the game and that’s what we need from all of them.”

Arteta also praised Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while highlighting Dowman’s comfort in his role as Arsenal look to make the most of their options.

“When he plays and when he has played he’s done really well. We have won some big games playing with him and we need him,” Arteta said of Mosquera.

“And the same with Myles in another way and with the way he’s playing. Or Max, he came in and he seems to be very comfortable in this kind of position.”

The Arsenal manager stopped short of confirming his starting line-up, saying he would assess his players’ condition before deciding on his plans for the coming week.

“Let’s see tomorrow where everybody is because individually as well we have put so much demand in so many players,” he said. “And see how we can now plan the next week.”

With a place in the next round at stake, Arsenal must balance rotation with the discipline Arteta insists is essential if they are to avoid a cup upset at Fleetwood.