Arsenal v Reading teams: Lucas starts and youngsters get chance to impress

Arsenal, as expected, have made a number of changes for the EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Reading.

Youngsters Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are among those included in the starting line-up at the Emirates Stadium.

And £17.1m forward Lucas Perez makes only his third start for the Gunners, who are without the suspended Granit Xhaka.

Championship club Reading have lost all 13 of their previous matches in all competitions against Arsenal.

Jaap Stam’s side had not won in four games before beating Rotherham at the weekend.

Arsenal: Martinez, Jenkinson, Holding, Gabriel, Gibbs, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Reine-Adelaide, Iwobi, Lucas.
Subs: Macey, Bola, Bielik, Sheaf, Zelalem, Willock, Giroud.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Watson, Obita, L Moore, Blackett, Kelly, Van den Berg, Evans, McCleary, Harriott, Samuel.
Subs: S Moore, Swift, Wieser, Kermorgant, Meite, Quinn, Gravenberch.