Well what a weekend of FA Cup results! Manchester United were held to a goaless draw to non-league Cambridge United on Friday night, Chelsea were slain by Bradford City at Stamford Bridge – having gone up 2-0 to lose 4-2, Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Middlesbrough at the Etihad and finally, Spurs lost to Leicester City at home 2-1. Needless to say, Arsenal now have an unbelievable chance to retain the FA Cup this season, but have to get by the resurgent Brighton City at the Amex Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The Gunners have been in sensational form since their 2-0 defeat to Southampton on New Year’s Day, winning their next three games, scoring seven goals and conceding none. So Arsene Wenger’s side go into tomorrow’s game with confidence knowing full well, after today’s results, that he has a great shot at securing his sixth FA Cup trophy. But confidence can at times lead to complacency and should not get ahead of themselves of take Brighton for granted. If the right team is picked, Arsenal will come out winners and put their name into the hat for the next round.
So, how should Arsenal line-up tomorrow?
Well here would be my starting XI:
Ospina
Chambers Mertesacker Koscielny Gibbs
Coquelin Ramsey
Chamberlain Ozil Rosicky
Giroud
David Ospina hasn’t put a foot wrong since he’s come into the side. The Colombian has yet to concede a goal and to replace him for Wojciech Szczesny would be a little harsh.
The back four speaks for itself. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny in the centre and I think Calum Chambers needs a game, so he will replace Hector Bellerin. Nacho Monreal should be given a rest so Kieran Gibbs would occupy the left-back position for me.
The midfield was a little difficult to pick, as there have been some players who have been on form and some that need games. So I just went with what you see on the page. Theo Walcott will likely feature during the game and I think Santi Cazorla, despite being on a great run of form, should be rested for a week. Wenger would like to rest Alexis Sanchez and I think he should be for this game, that’s why I stuck Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his place. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Chilean start!
Who’d be in your Arsenal XI to take on Brighton?
Let us know your line-up below
Ospina isnt Mexican
lol
I’d mix it up a bit with fringe players, regular starters and players coming back from injury. Let Martinez have a shot in goal. He didn’t put a foot wrong when he played earlier in the season.
Martinez
Flamini, Chambers, Hayden, Gibbs
Coquelin
Ramsey Özil
Walcott Akpom Campbell
Subs: Ospina, Bellerin (if fit), Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Giroud, Sanchez
Szczesney needs to learn a lesson. Mertesacker has played every game and needs a rest. Chambers have been outside the team for a while. Flamini can play almost every position on the field. Gibbs, Özil, Ramsey and Walcott needs matches. Akpom and Campbell deserves their chances. If we have them in the First Team squad – surely they must be at the necessary level to play Brighton. At the same time, keep the big hitters on the bench and turn them lose if needed. As Chelsea, ManC, Spurs and Southampton realized earlier today – it is the FA Cup.
Ospina isn’t Mexican and we don’t play Spurs next Saturday. Lol!
You’re right James, Ospina is Colombian and we play Spurs the week after next, my bad…
Szczesney
chambers Hayden koscienly Gibbs
Ramsey Coquelin
Walcot Ozil Campbell
Giroud
subs..Martinez,mertersacker,monreal,rosicky,Zelalem,Sanchez,Akpom
Hayden is out after ankle op.
Matinez,ballerin,kocheni,metisackar,gibs
Coq. Rambo
Rosiski
Teo.w. akpom. Dany.w
Subs:cazola,chambaline,szczesny,chambars,monrel
Martinez
bellerin chambers Hayden gibbs
flamini
Walcot ozil, rosicky, Campbell
Akpom