MIKEL ARTETA could take advantage of a little-known Carabao Cup loophole to get an advantage over Brentford.
The Gunners travel to the GTech Community Stadium on Wednesday on the road to Wembley.
With Arsenal hoping to be involved in the Premier League title race and also competing in the Champions League, boss Arteta faces some big decisions regarding his team selection.
And the main talking point will be whether he sticks with on-loan David Raya in goal or replaces him with Aaron Ramsdale, who has been benched for the Spaniard in their last three games.
Raya arrived at Arsenal on an initial loan deal from Brentford last month and that package also includes the option to buy him permanently for £27m.
The 28-year-old is unable to face his parent club in the Premier League due to top-flight rules.
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However, a little known loophole is that it does not apply in cup competitions if both clubs agree.
TalkSPORT are now claiming that the Bees have given their approval for Raya to play.
And that leaves Arteta with the option of fielding what appears to be his favoured starting XI tomorrow.
Arsenal drew 2-2 with bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday with Raya starting in favour of Ramsdale.
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Despite losing his No1 jersey to the Spaniard, Ramsdale showed support for his rival after he brilliantly denied Brennan Johnson from equalising in the first-half.
Raya flew to his right to palm the shot away with the cameras quickly cutting to Ramsdale as he applauded the save.
Arteta previously opened up on the goalkeeping situation, revealing the choice to drop last season's first choice keeper left an uncomfortable feeling "in his tummy."
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