Gunners’ predicted lineup for the north London club’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Coventry at the Emirates on Friday night …
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GK: Wojciech Szczesny
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger should stick with his young pole for a cup tie that should see the shot stopper enjoy a fairly quiet night in the capital.
RB: Carl Jenkinson
The up-and-coming England international will be given a rare opportunity for a first-team start in place of Bacary Sagna at the Emirates in a tie that is likely to see the 21-year-old enjoy plenty of the ball in attacking situations.
CB: Per Mertesacker
In normal circumstances, Wenger would taken this opportunity to hand the Gunners skipper a well-deserved rest against the Sky Blues, but a knee injury to Thomas Vermaelen means the German is now set to take his normal place at the heart of the north Londoners’ back four.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
The France international has been an absolute rock in the centre of the Gunners’ defence this season, and will hope to continue that eye-catching form against Coventry at the Emirates on Friday night.
LB: Nacho Monreal
The young Spaniard will deputise for first-choice left-back Kieran Gibbs in this FA Cup fourth-round clash, with the home side not losing much by his presence in their starting lineup either.
CM: Jack Wilshere
Another good opportunity for the injury-ravaged playmaker to get some much-needed game time, especially against ‘lesser’ opposition.
CM: Mathieu Flamini
The experienced Frenchman will act as the midfield anchor, protecting his back four from any counterattacks from the visitors.
LF: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
A great chance for the young England tyro to step up his fitness levels after his long recent layoff with a knee injury and prove to his manager that he is now worth a start in the Premier League.
RF: Tomas Rosicky
The influential Czech Republic playmaker will come in from the right-hand touchline kin support of the front two.
ST: Lukas Podolski
The Germany international is in line for an all-too-rare start this season against Coventry in the FA Cup after missing much of the campaign after damaging his hamstring in August.
ST: Nicklas Bendtner
The misfiring Dane should lead the line in the absence of usual front man Olivier Giroud, subject to his successful recovery from a recent ankle injury.
