After a miserable start to the new year, Arsenal may have turned a little corner over the past week with a convincing win over Chelsea in the league, whispers over Mislintat's departure having been officially sorted and a trip paintballing for team bonding, all culminate in the visit of old rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup. Emery's men welcome an inform and rejuvenated Red Devils team being encouraged to play attacking football by the new man in charge, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, having put together a solid defencive performance against Chelsea and grabbing a deserved clean sheet, Arsenal will be confident of a victory in this one.
In what is a first Friday night affair of the season for Arsenal, Head Coach Unai Emery only has one real selection decision to make, and that's at right back following Hector Bellerin's long term knee injury. Petr Cech is likely to come back in, as the current cup keeper, and there could be a handful of other changes if he so wishes but who plays at either RB or RWB is the only enforced change he'll have to decide upon - any others are a choice. The obvious candidate is Ainsley Maitland-Niles who can do a job in both roles but with cup rotation often the case, we could see Stephan Lichtsteiner or even Carl Jenkinson see some time in this one. It is unlikely though with United's attack so in tune right now, its likely Emery will look to field and strong and in form defence. With Cardiff in the league only a few days away on Tuesday night, its unlikely that Laurent Koscielny will play against United and then again in three days. Shkodran Mustafi will be the candidate to replace him in either game alongside the consistent looking Sokratis. With United in town and their wings being such a strength to the attacking side of their game, Nacho Monreal is most likely to play left back.
We saw just last weekend, again, how well a flat back four works. Two in holding midfield with one pushing on, in what was really a three, worked well in the 4-3-1-2 shape. At times against Chelsea it could have been a diamond but the application to each role was so evident. Hard work and organisation in midfield meant that Ramsey played Jorginho out of the game, Xhaka looked to dictate from deep, whilst Torreira and Guendouzi did much of the leg work. It's likely to be more of the same tomorrow night against United. Mesut Ozil has had another full week of training under his belt but in what could be a cracking, high-intensity game, it's unlikely he'll start, especially with others doing so well last time out. With it being Man United, and with such a historic rivalry, it is unlikely that we'll see the likes of Willock, Saka and co from the off, if at all. It's a crunch tie and another chance for Emery to prove his methods are working and he is most likely to trust his first teamers to get the job done.
In attack, with rumours surrounding Aaron Ramsey's departure still floating this January, he may not start this one. With his boyhood club Cardiff a few days away, where he'll most likely start, we could see the likes of Alex Iwobi start from the off. Ramsey deserves to start again, as do Aubameyang and Lacazette but with the top four race seemingly wide open again, Emery may not go all guns blazing against United. He may keep some in reserve for Tuesday night. Its a tough one to call a verdict on at present with all but Mhkitaryan and Welbeck available going forward. However, we've seen how crucial Aubameyang and Lacazette are and both are needed for a strong second half to the league season so one could start tomorrow's game from the bench. The likes of Elneny and Mavropanos would likely push to start as its the FA Cup but I just don't see it tomorrow. It's too big of a game and too big of a chance to take, especially with plenty of better options in most areas. We did however see young Mavropanos come of age last season against United so he's proved he can hack it but with Rashford, Martial and Lingard in such fine form, the fewer changes the better for the Gunners.
Former star player and 1999 treble hero Solskjaer has his players really playing now. Coming in on a short term deal, he has nothing to lose and it is paying off with his squad now in fine fiddle, just at the right time. Yes he has won games he should do but the way in which he has transformed their style, or released the tactical shackles from a number of his players has done wonders for their performances. Goals, wins, clean sheets and crucially confidence, have all featured in his short tenure and he's returned the club to its exciting attacking football status. Rumours are that number one goalkeeper David de Gea hasn't travelled with the squad today which will mean that stand in keeper Sergio Romero will deputise. Much like Cech, he's the cup goalie in the main. Fellaini, Smalling and Rojo remain unavailable through injury whilst former Gunners favourite Alexis Sanchez will feature according to Solskjaer. The dangermen remain academy products Rashford and Lingard whilst Frenchman Martial is also one to watch. As a trio they are lightning quick and be a consistent threat on what is likely to be a heavy counter.
Expected lineup:
GK: Petr Cech
RB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB: Sokratis
CB: Laurent Koscielny
LB: Nacho Monreal
CM: Granit Xhaka
CM: Lucas Torreira
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
RW: Aaron Ramsey
LW: Alex Iwobi
ST: Alex Lacazette
Prediction: 2-1 win to the Gunners. Home advantage will edge this one with both teams scoring.
@craigbennett10
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