The Carabao Cup is set to heat up as the Premier League heavyweights, including Arsenal, enter the competition at the third round stage. The draw for this exciting phase is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28th, following the conclusion of the second-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. However, this year's draw will feature a new format designed to accommodate the expanded schedules of European competitions.

A Tweaked Format for the Draw

The changes to the Carabao Cup draw stem from the expansion of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, which have introduced two additional matchweeks to the calendar. These extra matchweeks coincide with the dates set for the Carabao Cup third round, scheduled for the weeks commencing September 16th and 23rd. To avoid fixture clashes, the draw will be divided into two bowls:

• Bowl 1: This bowl will consist of the six teams that have qualified for the Champions League and Europa League, including Arsenal. These teams are: Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Manchester United.
• Bowl 2: This bowl will contain the remaining 26 clubs, including Chelsea.

Before the main draw, a preliminary draw will take place to determine whether the teams in Bowl 1 will play at home or away in the third round. These teams will be placed separately in the first six ties, ensuring that Champions League and Europa League teams cannot face each other in the third round.

During the main draw, the first six ties will be formed by pairing one team from Bowl 1 with one from Bowl 2, with the home/away status of the Bowl 1 team pre-determined. The remaining 10 matches will then be drawn from the teams still in Bowl 2.

Arsenal's Potential Opponents

With the draw format clarified, the question on many minds is: who could Arsenal potentially face in the third round? Here's a breakdown of the possible scenarios:

• The First Six Ties: Arsenal, as a team in Bowl 1, will be paired with one of the 26 clubs in Bowl 2. This means a potential match against any of the teams that have progressed from the second round, including the likes of Birmingham City, Cardiff City, or Sheffield Wednesday, just to name a few.
• The Remaining 10 Ties: If Arsenal is drawn against a team from Bowl 2 in the first six ties, then they won't be involved in the final 10 draws. However, if they are one of the last six teams left from Bowl 1, they could be drawn against any of the remaining teams in Bowl 2.

The Significance of the New Format

The new draw format emphasizes the importance of the Carabao Cup for both Premier League and non-Premier League teams. It creates a balanced playing field by ensuring that the heavyweights don't dominate the early rounds and allows for potential upsets by teams from lower divisions. Additionally, it acknowledges the demanding schedule of European competitions and attempts to minimize fixture clashes, ensuring that the competition remains accessible for all involved.

Where and When to Watch

The Carabao Cup third-round draw is scheduled to take place on Sky Sports, following the conclusion of the Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United match at the City Ground. The kick-off for that match is set for 8pm (BST), with the draw expected to begin around 10.15pm (BST). Be sure to tune in to see who Arsenal will face in the next round of this exciting competition.