Having already met the Seasiders earlier on in the season in the League Cup, the Gunners now clash with Blackpool once again, this time in the FA Cup. A combination of youngsters and fringe players dispatched the League One side back in December, and its expected that Emery will name much of the same type of team again. After a thick and fast festive period, a number of first teamers will be looking for a rest, whilst a number of fringe players will be looking for some much needed pitch time in this one.
Blackpool, although eventually rolling over, started strong and remained a threat throughout most of the match in December. Controlled by former Liverpool man Jay Spearing in midfield, they are well equipped to threaten from set pieces, which he takes expertly well. They were not afraid to get stuck in during the previous meeting either, with a red card (and one to Arsenal as well) being shown. Emery needs to be prepared for a tough start but once having got past the thick exterior, there's likely to be a soft underbelly that good Arsenal football can easily dismiss.
Head Coach Emery has assured us that the focus is solely on Blackpool and as such, the team selection will reflect this. We can expect to see the likes of Sokratis, Iwobi, Ramsey and Elneny feature prominently with other fringe players and youngsters fitting in alongside. Petr Cech is likely to start in goal in place of Bernd Leno, whilst Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carl Jenkinson could come into the defensive unit. Laurent Koscielny is likely to be one of those that get's a rest after such a long spell on the sidelines, whilst Shkodran Mustafi has a niggle and will not be risked. Dinos Mavropanos returned to full training earlier this week having missed the season so far with a long term groin problem but this game surely comes too early for him to get some minutes. Bellerin and Monreal are both being assessed and if available could see time from the bench in an attempt to sharpen match fitness.
In midfield, young Emile Smith Rowe also returned to training this week but like Mavropanos, this game is likely to be too soon for him. Mesut Ozil is also being assessed whilst Henrikh Mhkitaryan and Danny Welbeck remain out. Young midfield man Joe Willock will be pushing for a spot in Emery's matchday squad after impressing in the League Cup earlier this season. Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be looking for minutes in his preferred midfield berth as well. Ahead, Eddie Nketiah could lead the line with the likes of Alex Lacazette in reserve. We could see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rested completely having seen him play a lot of minutes over the last two or three weeks. In Emery's first taste of FA Cup football, he'll want to see his team get off to a strong and issue-free start with a comfortable victory; no replays, no injuries and no red cards...a simple day at the office.
Expected lineup:
GK: Petr Cech
RB: Stephan Lichtsteiner
CB: Sokratis
CB: Julio Pleguezuelo
LB: Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CM: Matteo Guendouzi
CM: Mohamed Elneny
CM: Joe Willock
RAM: Aaron Ramsey
LAM: Alex Iwobi
ST: Eddie Nketiah
Prediction: 3-0 to the Arsenal.
@craigbennett10
Comments
Post a Comment