Emile Smith Rowe set to make full Arsenal debut as Unai Emery rotates for EFL Cup clash with Brentford

Unai Emery will give his second string another run-out in tonight’s EFL Cup clash with Brentford.

The Spaniard indicated the team will be similar to the side he named in the Europa League last week.

Emery’s predecessor, Arsene Wenger, bloodied youngsters in the competition for many years before changing tack as he sought silverware during a barren run of trophies.

Danny Welbeck, Mohamed Elneny, Alex Iwobi, Stefan Lichtsteiner and Rob Holding are all likely to start at Emirates Stadium. Emile Smith Rowe, the 18-year-old midfielder who came off the bench in the 4-2 Europa League win over Vorskla Poltava last week, is set to make his full debut and Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah could also be involved.

The priority for Emery, however, will be a giving a game to players who have not played much football this season. It means the core of the team that beat Everton 2-0 on Sunday will be left out tonight.

Emery said: “We can give players chances to play, chances to take confidence and minutes.”

Brentford look like serious promotion contenders in the Championship and manager Dean Smith says his side will not be daunted by the match at Emirates Stadium.

Smith is also set to make a number of changes but, backed by 9,000 travelled fans, they could give Arsenal a real test.

“We faced Chelsea a couple of seasons ago in the FA Cup and got soundly beaten,” said Smith.

“I did not think we did ourselves justice in the first half and we ended up losing 4-0.

“But we are in a different place now in terms of the belief and how we can play. Going to play a team like Arsenal will not be as daunting as it would have been two years ago. We will give them a lot of respect but we will not fear them.”

Brentford have made a good start to the season but they were disappointing in their 3-1 defeat at Derby on Saturday. Smith said: “The players are a bit down after that performance.

“We have done a debrief. There are things we need to do a lot better. It is the first time I can say to the players that they have not performed and we got what we deserved.

“Derby were good but we helped them with our performance and the manner of the goals we conceded. We will use that as a learning experience.”