Arsenal fans have been handed a triple injury boost as the club plan to play three first-team players in Wednesday night’s U21’s game.
The Gunners kick off their group stage fixtures of the Premier League Cup with an U21’s side set to welcome Swansea City U23’s to Boreham Wood.
The game kicks off at 7pm and will be streamed live for fans to watch for free on Arsenal.com or the Arsenal app.
It’ll be the first opportunity to see Arsenal’s £35m summer signing Vieira in action following his move from Porto, after he suffered an agonising injury to his foot.
Having originally worn a protective boot during the early days of pre-season, Vieira has now been a part of first-team training and is ready to work on match fitness.
Emile Smith-Rowe is another attacking talent that we’ve been eager to see in action following a groin injury which has halted his progression over the summer.
The 22-year-old featured as a late substitute during the 4-2 win over Leicester City, and now Arteta is keen to start him from the off for the U21’s.
Meanwhile Cedric Soares will also be utilised this evening after being left out of the first-team squad over the weekend due to the inclusion of both Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Soares is now considered to be the third choice option on both sides of the full-back position following new arrival Oleksandr Zinchenko and the return of Kieran Tierney.
Despite this, Arteta has formed a great relationship with the 30-year-old who is a versatile player that is supporting the rest of the squad on and off the pitch.
Arsenal continue to look at options to release Hector Bellerin from the squad, whilst the future of Ainsley Maitland-Niles is likely to be resolved on or around deadline day.