Arsenal take on Hull City at the KC Stadium Tuesday in their FA Cup Fifth Round replay match.
A win would see the Gunners face Watford in the quarterfinals to be played at the Emirates Stadium this upcoming weekend. A loss would see them face West Brom in the league on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger will likely rotate his squad after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw to Tottenham. With only two days rest, it’s unlikely he’ll play a similar team, although we should still see Kieran Gibbs, Mohammad Elneny, and Gabriel start.
Mathieu Flamini will come in for the suspended Francis Coquelin who received his marching orders on Saturday, while Alex Iwobi and Olivier Giroud will start up front.
The manager has yet to provide any team news ahead of this match. However, considering the FA Cup is Arsenal’s best chance at silverware this season, yet again, you would expect him to prioritize this cup a little more than he has done prior to Tuesday. But because of the match congestion this month, rotation is required. The manager will still feel that this squad is good enough to come away with the result.
Here is Arsenal’s most likely starting lineup against Hull City on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper – Ospina
David Ospina put in a good performance on Saturday. He made two excellent close range saves, just keeping the ball off the line. His style of play is nerve-racking to watch, but he manages to get the job done.
His performance on Saturday will give him confidence going into Tuesday’s match.
Right Back – Chambers
Calum Chambers comes in for Hector Bellerin. When given the opportunity, Chambers has been effective, but those opportunities have been few and far between. He gets another chance to impress in the FA Cup.
Center Backs – Koscielny & Gabriel
Laurent Koscielny is set to return to the squad after sitting out the past two matches with a calf injury. He replaces Per Mertesacker, who has looked rusty in the Frenchman’s absence, and will partner up with Gabriel.
Left Back – Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs started Saturday’s match in place of Nacho Monreal who was a late scratch due to a calf injury. Gibbs looked a bit rusty, but got the job done. He will stay in the squad on Tuesday and resume his normal place in FA Cup matches.
Defensive Mid – Flamini
Flamini replaces Coquelin, who sits out due to a one-game suspension for being sent off in the North London Derby. It is unlikely Coquelin would have featured in this match anyways.
Central Mid – Elneny
Elneny keeps his place in the squad. His first start in the Premier League was impressive. He defended well and looked to move the ball around quickly.
An Elneny-Coquelin partnership could be Wenger’s preferred midfield duo for the coming weeks. They looked balanced and served as a solid barrier ahead of the back four. It means Aaron Ramsey will be played wide right, although it’s a position that allows the Welshman more freedom and it essentially creates a three man midfield with Mesut Özil playing just behind the striker.
Attacking Mid – Iwobi
Alex Iwobi comes back into the squad in the number 10 role where he has impressed in the FA Cup this year. He plays more like a shadow striker and his penetrating dribbles and incisive passing is a threat.
Wide Right – Campbell
Joel Campbell starts after playing so well against Swansea City mid-week. The Costa Rican international will look to link up with Iwobi and Giroud often, breaking down Hull’s defense with a series of one-twos.
Wide Left – Walcott
Theo Walcott makes his first appearance in the starting eleven after his horrific showing at Old Trafford.
Walcott’s inconsistencies this season have been a real burden on the squad and the manager. His pace, movement, and finishing skills strikes terror in the oppositions back four when he is in form. However, you never seem to know what you’re going to get from Walcott and Tuesday’s match could prove to be another one of those days.
Walcott really needs to kick-on, show some consistency, and provide his teammates the wide goal scoring threat they need.
Striker – Giroud
Giroud comes into the squad after being benched in favor of Danny Welbeck. Welbeck’s pace is required over Giroud’s link up play at the moment.
Giroud has not played poorly, but his goal-scoring drought is worrisome. Tuesday is an excellent opportunity for the French international striker to bag a goal. Giroud usually scores in bunches and a goal against Hull will hopefully be the start of a good vein of form.
(4-2-3-1)
Via – Lineup Builder
