Why Arsenal cannot face Manchester United or Liverpool in Carabao Cup third round

A repeat of last season’s final against Man City in the third round is off the table

Arsenal cannot face Manchester United or Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round.

Last season’s beaten finalists enter the domestic cup competition at the third round stage and will discover their opponents when the Carabao Cup draw takes place on Wednesday night.

Also entering the fray are Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Man United, and Sunderland.

As all eight teams and the Gunners have qualified for European competition this season, it means they will be kept apart in the Carabao Cup third round.

Therefore, Arsenal will not have the chance to gain revenge on Man City for defeat in last season’s final until the fourth round at the earliest - provided both teams progress.

Arsenal are aiming to reach back-to-back Carabao Cup finals

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A statement via the club’s website reads: “Due to our involvement in the UEFA Champions League, the draw will be carried out differently to the usual format.

“All sides that have qualified for the European league phases will be kept from facing each other in a pre-draw. This draw will decide whether each of the eight Champions League and Europa League Clubs will be at home or away.

“There will then be a main draw, where the first eight ties will involve those Champions League and Europa League clubs, with their home or away position already having been decided.

“Each side will be drawn against a club from a separate bowl containing the remaining teams.”

Arsenal, however, could face Chelsea or Tottenham in the Carabao Cup third round as neither of their London rivals have qualified for Europe this season.

They must, though, overcome Luton Town - managed by Jack Wilshere - and Charlton respectively to be in with a chance of setting up a blockbuster third round showdown.

Who can Arsenal face in Carabao Cup third round?

Arsenal have been allocated ball number two for the Carabao Cup third round draw and their potential opponents are as follows.

9. Barnsley

10. Brentford

12. Coventry

13. Fleetwood

14. Hull

15. Ipswich

16. Leeds

17. Leyton Orient

18. Lincoln

19. Middlesbrough

20. Millwall

21. Norwich

22. Peterborough

23. Reading

24. Sheffield United

25. West Ham

26. Wolves

27. Bradford or Burnley

28. Newcastle or West Brom

29. Tottenham or Charlton

30. Preston or Everton

31. Chelsea or Luton

32. Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

When will third round ties be played?

The third round matches are scheduled to take place across back to back weeks, from September 7 and then September 14.

The ties will be played as single-leg fixtures, with the winners progressing to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.