Overview
- Ceadach O’Neill, Marli Salmon and Khari Ranson were seen with the senior group before the Wigan FA Cup match, indicating possible bench roles.
- O’Neill scored for the U18s on Saturday and Salmon started for the U21s on Friday, with both withdrawn at half-time in a sign of planned first-team involvement.
- Salmon, a 16-year-old defender with prior senior minutes under Mikel Arteta, is viewed as the most likely of the trio to feature.
- Goalkeeper plans point to David Raya being rested, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Tommy Setford ahead of Ranson if selections follow recent patterns.
- A heavily rotated lineup is expected after Thursday’s Brentford game, with a trip to Wolves midweek and the north London derby on the horizon.