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Who’d be in your Arsenal starting XI to face Sunderland?

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Arsene WengerArsenal start their FA Cup defence against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates.

The Gunners will undoubtedly be favourites to win the Third Round tie going into the game in such fine form, while the FA Cup for Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce will almost certainly be an unwelcomed distraction as they face a battle to remain in the Premier League this season.

Arsenal’s previous outing saw them scrape a 1-0 win against Newcastle at the Emirates, a game, which in truth, should have ended in a defeat. While Sunderland beat fellow relegation strugglers Aston Villa 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Arsene Wenger has no new injury concerns to deal with, but could welcome back Mikel Arteta, who played 45 minutes with the Under-21 lately, and Alexis Sanchez, who hasn’t played since the 1-1 draw against Norwich back in November last year,

So with this in mind, a crucial Premier League clash away to Liverpool on Wednesday night, and of course the chance to make further FA Cup history, how should Arsenal line-up against Sunderland this weekend?

Cech

Debuchy         Mertesacker         Gabriel         Gibbs

Chambers         Flamini

Chamberlain         Ramsey         Campbell

Walcott

We might well see David Ospina in goal, if Wenger feels sorry for him. But I would just stick with Petr Cech.

Mathieu Debuchy in for Hector Bellerin, Kieran Gibbs for Nacho Monreal and Gabriel for Laurent Koscielny. We will need these three for the Liverpool game a few days later.

I was really impressed with Callum Chambers when he played in the centre of midfield against Bournemouth and this is another chance to see what he is capable alongside the expereinced Mathieu Flamini.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t been at the races this season, so this is another opportunity for the England winger, while Joel Campbell should feature as well.

Although he has been in scintillating form, Mesut Ozil needs a rest, and the German midfielder can’t afford to be risked with Liverpool around the corner. So I would replace Ozil with Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman loves to attack and create anyway, so it would be a perfect swap.

Either Olivier Giroud or Theo Walcott leading the line, but I think the latter should start. If nothing happens, then bring on the big Frenchman.

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5 comments

  • ron says:

    i would make 11 changes and field ospina, debuchy, chambers, gabriel, gibbs coquekin, cazorla, wilshere. rosicky, welbeck and sanchez -unfortunately half of these players are injured

  • zTOMz says:

    I’d be cautious fielding a starting XI that would be too underpowered as such attitude came and bit us in the arse in Champions League/ League Cup, etc.
    Sunderland weren’t easy to beat at home in the league so much depends on how “weakened” a team Big Sam decides upon for the FA Cup tie.

    Not a bad Starting XI I’d say in that aspect. I like what looks to be a strong defensive midfield which hopefully would avoid getting caught by surprise, as long as Flamini/Chambers stick to their defensive duties and limit their runs forwards with the ball.

    We know Bellerin is rested so Debuchy us a given and I guess benching Ozil would be a good idea, which makes Ramsey the only option we currently have in central attacking midfield even though they’re not like for like.

    Despite my initial sentence, I’d be tempted to give Reine-Adelaide a start (he seemed good in the Emirates Cup) if only to have one of The Ox or Cambpell available as a proper impact sub if needed. I’m not sure how much impact Iwobi or Reine-Adelaide could make coming from the bench in comparison. I guess having a stronger lineup from the get-go in the goal of being in the lead when substitutions become needed is a valid route too and Giroud/Ozil can be enough improvement from the bench I suppose.

  • FRANCIS MUTETI says:

    DEFINATELY THE BIG GUNS SHOULD BE RESTED AS THEY HAVE PLAYED LOTS OF GAMES BUT DUE TO AVOIDING MUCH EMPEROUSMENT WENGER SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THAT. MUCH OF THE SQUARD HAVE TO PLAY THIS GAME TO BE SURE OF ADVANCING TO NEXT STAGE.

  • olumba says:

    ozil should be rested
    iwobi and others should be given a chance

  • john says:

    i think most of the top players rested with away match with liverpoool in mind
    give reine adeliade and Iwobi a chance and under 21 players too

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