The Gunners predicted line-up for Sunday’s cup 3rd round bout.
Arsenal go into Sunday’s FA Cup 3rd Round clash against Hull City on the back of a poor defeat away to Southampton which raised even more questions about their temperament and ability.
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Arsene Wenger will be looking for a quick turnaround in fortunes agains the Tigers in what is a replay of the FA Cup final which saw the Gunners run out 3-2 winners at Wembley in May.
The two sides have since met in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates and Steve Bruce will know his side will be able to cause problems to a side exhausted by the fixture list and depleted by injuries.
We look at the predicted line-up below:
GK: David Ospina
Wojciech Szczesny looks set to be dropped but what is not clear is if it’s due to this simply being a cup match or to his erratic and poor decision making agains the Saints on New Years Day.
RB: Hector Bellerin
Bellerin hasn’t really featured since both Debuchy and Koscielny returned to full fitness. Could be called on against the Tigers due to Wenger’s need to rest his key defenders after the festive fixture pile-up.
CB: Per Mertesacker
The big German has struggled for consistency this season but will have to be back in the side once again with Wenger more than likely unable to select Koscielny so frequently due to fitness concerns.
CB: Nacho Monreal
With Koscielny given a rest and Debuchy also dropped to the bench Nacho Monreal will be forced to deputise at centre back once again despite it not being his natural position.
LB: Kieran Gibbs
The England star will once again start from the off at left back despite some fierce competition with Nacho Monreal over the past few games for position.
CM: Mathieu Flamini
The Frenchman’s exclusion from the match day squad against Southampton was a shock to many but he looks set to return against Hull as Arsenal are short in back up midfield options.
LM: Francis Coquelin
The Frenchman was on loan at Charlton less than two months ago but now finds himself fighting for contention in the Arsenal starting XI week in week out as the Gunners struggle to content with injuries once again.
RM: Tomas Rosicky
It’s been somewhat of a renaissance for the Czech international who played almost no minutes for the first few months of the season but now finds himself back in contention on an almost gamely basis.
RW: Theo Walcott
It’s been touted for weeks but Walcott could be finally set to start his first Arsenal match since his knee injury against Spurs almost 12 months ago as the Gunners succumb to the need to rotate their squad.
CF: Danny Welbeck
Sat out the match against Saints with a thigh injury but it was only a minor knock and if back he will give some much needed impetus to the North London side’s frontline.
LW: Santi Cazorla
Alexis Sanchez has deserved a rest for many a week now and could finally get his wish against the Tigers with Cazorla coming into his position.
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