Gary O’Neil promises Ipswich will ‘have a right go’ against Arsenal

Gary O’Neil insists Ipswich Town will attack their Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal believing they can cause an upset at Portman Road.

Ipswich host Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions in Tuesday’s third-round tie, with O’Neil expecting Arsenal to make changes but warning their squad is strong enough to field two high-quality starting XIs.

Arsenal have started the season perfectly, winning all four Premier League matches as well as beating Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield and Napoli 1-0 in the Champions League.

O’Neil has never beaten Arsenal as a manager, but believes playing under the lights at Portman Road gives Ipswich an opportunity.

“But it’s a game we want to win,” O’Neil said. “I want to get as far in the cups as we can.”

“We’re going to give it our best go at home under the lights.”

The Ipswich boss believes his players can use the home support more effectively than they did against Liverpool earlier this season.

“We can start the game well, we can take the fans with us on an attempt against beating one of the best sides around.”

Arteta is expected to rotate his starting XI, but O’Neil does not believe that significantly weakens Arsenal.

“If they play their starting XI, they’ll have all their best players on the pitch,” he explained.

“If they play their second XI, they’ll have a fresh XI on the pitch that’s still strong.”

O’Neil nevertheless sees Arsenal’s consistent tactical structure as something Ipswich can prepare for.

“Prepping the game from a tactical point of view will be fairly straightforward,” he said. “Stopping them and stopping what they do will not be straightforward.”

O’Neil is also expected to make significant changes following Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace.

Christian Walton could return in goal, while Darnell Furlong, Cedric Kipre, Abdoul Ouattara and Daizen Maeda are among those pushing for starts.

Florentino Luis could make his first Ipswich start after appearing from the bench against Palace, while Zian Flemming is in contention to lead the attack after scoring his first Town goal at the weekend.

O’Neil insists he has complete confidence in whoever gets the opportunity.

“Whoever I pick, I have 100 per cent faith that they’re ready and they’re going to represent what we do and how we go about it.”

Ipswich face Arsenal at Portman Road with a place in the Carabao Cup fourth round at stake. If the match is level after 90 minutes, the tie will go directly to penalties. Town then turn their attention back to the Premier League with a trip to Everton.