Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will field strong side at Preston in Carabao Cup

Mikel Arteta has stressed the importance of the Carabao Cup as his side bid to return to winning ways in Wednesday’s fourth-round tie at Preston. The Gunners fell five points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City after they were held 2-2 by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Arteta will still be without captain Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori for the trip to Deepdale, while Gabriel is being assessed after he was forced off against Liverpool.