To close out FA Cup 3rd round weekend, the Gunners host Championship high flyers Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in what is likely to be a wintery Monday night in north London.
After earning a first win under new man Mikel Arteta, Arsenal will be looking for more of the same tonight. It will, however, be a much changed side with many of Arteta's first team in need of a rest after a busy festive period. Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin are still being assessed but are likely to return to action in some capacity whilst fellow defender Sead Kolasinac also trained so could feature again after hobbling off against Man United. Midfielder Dani Ceballos is available again after injury and is extremely likely to start alongside the likes of Joe Willock, Matteo Guendouzi and Emile Smith Rowe.
Upfront, Gabriel Martinelli, who has also returned to full training this week, could make his return. Ever threatening and an absolute workhorse, the talented Brazilian offers play down the left flank that no other Arsenal player does. He is direct and tenacious but happy to stay wide and go at his man. Mikel Arteta has one or two other options to utilise in attacking areas including youngster Tyrese John-Jules, Frenchman Alex Lacazette and Ivorian wide man Nicolas Pepe. Whilst, talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be hungry for more goals, he too probably needs a break.
Championship big boys Leeds United have been leading the race for promotion for the last few seasons now and have often faultered late in the day but now they look likely. With dangerous attacking players like Wolves man Helder Costa, former Spain international Pablo Hernandez and frontman Patrick Bamford in the line up, Leeds are a real force going forward. Not without Arsenal connections either, as young forward Eddie Nketiah has just returned from a loan spell at Elland Road whilst former academy product Luke Ayling is Leeds' first choice right full back. The defence, like Arsenal's, is notably weaker than the attack. It is certainly there to be got at, and with an assumed number of youngsters and fringe players in red looking to impress, the game should be the Gunners' for the taking.
The omens are seemingly in Arsenal's favour as Leeds have lost five of the last six against the Gunners going back to 2003. However, the overall head to head record is a lot closer than most would think as due to Leeds' glory days back in the late 90s and early naughties, its 46-41 wins in favour of Arsenal. There has also been 32 draws - something Arteta will be looking to avoid tonight as a replay is another game his side don't need heading into a crucial 2020.
Expected line up:
GK: Emi Martinez
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Dinos Mavropanos
CB: Rob Holding
LB: Bukayo Saka
CM: Dani Ceballos
CM: Joe Willock
CAM: Emile Smith Rowe
RW: Reiss Nelson
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Gabriel Martinelli
Prediction: 2-0 to Arteta's Arsenal
@craigbennett10
After earning a first win under new man Mikel Arteta, Arsenal will be looking for more of the same tonight. It will, however, be a much changed side with many of Arteta's first team in need of a rest after a busy festive period. Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin are still being assessed but are likely to return to action in some capacity whilst fellow defender Sead Kolasinac also trained so could feature again after hobbling off against Man United. Midfielder Dani Ceballos is available again after injury and is extremely likely to start alongside the likes of Joe Willock, Matteo Guendouzi and Emile Smith Rowe.
Upfront, Gabriel Martinelli, who has also returned to full training this week, could make his return. Ever threatening and an absolute workhorse, the talented Brazilian offers play down the left flank that no other Arsenal player does. He is direct and tenacious but happy to stay wide and go at his man. Mikel Arteta has one or two other options to utilise in attacking areas including youngster Tyrese John-Jules, Frenchman Alex Lacazette and Ivorian wide man Nicolas Pepe. Whilst, talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be hungry for more goals, he too probably needs a break.
Championship big boys Leeds United have been leading the race for promotion for the last few seasons now and have often faultered late in the day but now they look likely. With dangerous attacking players like Wolves man Helder Costa, former Spain international Pablo Hernandez and frontman Patrick Bamford in the line up, Leeds are a real force going forward. Not without Arsenal connections either, as young forward Eddie Nketiah has just returned from a loan spell at Elland Road whilst former academy product Luke Ayling is Leeds' first choice right full back. The defence, like Arsenal's, is notably weaker than the attack. It is certainly there to be got at, and with an assumed number of youngsters and fringe players in red looking to impress, the game should be the Gunners' for the taking.
The omens are seemingly in Arsenal's favour as Leeds have lost five of the last six against the Gunners going back to 2003. However, the overall head to head record is a lot closer than most would think as due to Leeds' glory days back in the late 90s and early naughties, its 46-41 wins in favour of Arsenal. There has also been 32 draws - something Arteta will be looking to avoid tonight as a replay is another game his side don't need heading into a crucial 2020.
Expected line up:
GK: Emi Martinez
RB: Hector Bellerin
CB: Dinos Mavropanos
CB: Rob Holding
LB: Bukayo Saka
CM: Dani Ceballos
CM: Joe Willock
CAM: Emile Smith Rowe
RW: Reiss Nelson
ST: Alex Lacazette
LW: Gabriel Martinelli
Prediction: 2-0 to Arteta's Arsenal
@craigbennett10
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