Arsenal vs Doncaster - as it happened: Score, highlights and analysis as Theo Walcott goal ensures win

Follow all the updates from the Emirates

Theo Walcott opens the scoring for Arsenal (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger is rarely a man to break with tradition but Wednesday evening's Carabao Cup match against Doncaster Rovers looks set to be slightly different than usual.

The Arsenal manager has traditionally treated this competition as a chance to blood his promising youngsters.

But with a burgeoning first team squad and several senior players still searching for form and fitness, it looks like he will be picking his B-team rather than his U19s.

Follow all the action in our live blog below:

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"Calum Chambers will be involved against Doncaster,” the Frenchman confirmed this week. “Jack Wilshere is involved too. Mesut [Ozil] is training again, but [he will not feature]. He has a little inflammation of his knee.

"Danny [Welbeck] had a scan, we don’t know how bad his groin injury is but he will certainly be out until the international break. Coquelin as well. Debuchy is coming back slowly."

"Yes [it will be a mix], but it will be a similar team to the one that played against Cologne.”

Can Darren Ferguson, son of Wenger’s old foe Sir Alex, make the most of the reserve team put out and claim a famous win for his side?

Here’s everything you need to know about the game:

What time does it start?

The game kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday 20 September.

Where can I watch it?

The game will not be broadcast on UK television but you can follow all the updates via this page.

It’s a big game for…

Wilshere is set for his first start of the season (Getty)

Jack Wilshere. The England international has endured a tough time of late, with a broken leg towards the end of last season ruining the last of his loan spell at Bournemouth and hampering his pre-season. Nevertheless, Wenger still has faith in the midfielder and with Arsenal’s midfield spots still looking up for grabs, some strong performances in cup competition could see him come back into contention.

Player to watch…

Nelson (front) has huge potential and may have a chance to prove he can live up to the hype (Getty)

Reiss Nelson. The 17-year-old is the latest in a long line of promising youngsters to come through the Arsenal academy with huge hopes for the future. The forward has earned the backing of his more senior colleagues and fans of the club have huge expectations for him following several eye-catching performances for the youth teams. He now needs to prove he can live up to the hype.

Form…

Arsenal: DWWLL

Doncaster: LLLDD

Odds:

Arsenal to win: 1/10

Draw: 10/1

Doncaster to win: 25/1

[20 September 2017 19:10 · Evan Bartlett]

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Wednesday night's Carabao Cup action.

We'll be bringing you all the goals and reaction from around the grounds with a particular focus on Arsenal's clash with Doncaster Rovers and Manchester United's game with Burton.

[20 September 2017 19:16 · Evan Bartlett]

Team news:

At the Emirates, there is a full debut for Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson and a first start of the season for Jack Wilshere after his loan spell at Bournemouth and subsequent injury.

Arsenal v Doncaster

 

Arsenal: Ospina, Holding, Mertesacker, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Wilshere, Nelson, Walcott, Sanchez,  Giroud.

Subs: Iwobi, Monreal, Akpom, Macey, Joseph Willock, Da Silva, Nketiah. 

Doncaster: Lawlor, Blair, Butler, Whiteman, Wright, Kongolo, Mason, Coppinger, Rowe, Houghton, May.

Subs: Toffolo, Alcock, Marquis, Williams, Marosi, Mandeville, Garrett. 

Referee: Scott Duncan 

[20 September 2017 19:27 · Evan Bartlett]

Team news:  

At Old Trafford, Manchester United make nine changes to the side who thrashed Everton at the weekend. Michael Carrick, starting his first game this season, captains the side.

Manchester United vs Burton

Man Utd: Romero, Darmian, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind, Carrick (c), Herrera, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Rashford.

Subs: Pereira, Jones, Shaw, Young, McTominay, Fellaini, Lukaku

Burton: Ripley, Allen, Turner, Lund, Dyer, Flanagan, Naylor, Varney (c), Palmer, Mason, Akpan.

Subs: Campbell, Warnock, McFadzean, Murphy, Akins, Sordell, Scannell

[20 September 2017 19:45 · Samuel Lovett]

Marcus Rashford will be featuring for United once again tonight. Here's Jack Pitt-Brooke on the English treasure who broke the Golden Boy mould:

[20 September 2017 19:49 · Samuel Lovett]

KICK OFF!

• Arsenal vs Doncaster
• Chelsea vs Nottingham
• Everton vs Sunderland 

Follow the latest goals and updates here!

[20 September 2017 19:54 · Samuel Lovett]

I'd take those odds...

[20 September 2017 19:55 · Evan Bartlett]

Update from the Emirates:

It's been a lively start here in north London, with the teams exchanging good chances within the first two minutes: Theo Walcott coming close for the hosts moments after goalkeeper Ospina had saved smartly from Kongolo at the other end.

Olivier Giroud then felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty after being bundled over in the area. The Frenchman, who saw his protests waved away by the referee, then nearly opened the scoring with a spectacular scissor kick, only to clatter the Doncaster cross bar. Game on!

[20 September 2017 19:59 · Samuel Lovett]

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Kenedy)

The Chelsea youngster gets his side off the mark as the Blues nab the first goal of the evening. A strong start from Antonio Conte's side!

[20 September 2017 20:01 · Samuel Lovett]

KICK OFF! Manchester United vs Burton is under way!

[20 September 2017 20:04 · Samuel Lovett]

Update from Old Trafford (4 min):

A lively start from the visitors as Varney picks up play in the United box, turns on a sixpence and lets loose with a low-driven, but ultimately tame, shot on goal that Romero easily claims. As you were.