Projected Arsenal line up To Play Against Liverpool – Flamini And OX To Start In Midfield?

Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates in the fifth round of the FA Cup, which amongst many entertaining clashes in England’s Oldest Competition is the one to look out for. Gunners’ fans believe that the FA Cup represents the club’s best chance of a trophy this season, with the Premier League title slipping away and the Champions League clash with current holders Bayern Munich too tall a wall to climb.

Although Wenger has claimed that he would field a strong side, keeping in mind their UCL clash, there is a possibility of resting few first team players for this one.

So what will be Arsenal’s best possible line up against Liverpool? We here at Soccersouls have the answer for our readers.

Goalkeeping:

I don’t Arsène Wenger would take the risk of resting Wojciech Szczesny for this one. The Pole has been in supreme form this seasons and although, he let in 5 against the Reds last time around, Szczesny would get the nod once again ahead of Lukas Fabianski. He will have a job on his hands, facing a top notch Liverpool side who are working like a well oiled machine and scoring goals for fun. The Polish International will be thoroughly tested once again throughout the course of ninety minutes making it increasingly difficult to keep a clean sheet thanks to the presence of Sturridge and Suarez in front of him.

Defence:

Wenger’s squad rotation may start in the defensive line-up as he could hand Carl Jenkinson a starting berth ahead of Bacary Sagna in right back slot while Kieran Gibbs would likely continue in at left back ahead of Nacho Monreal in the left wing back role. Both the wing backs need to ensure they aren’t caught out by Liverpool’s pace and should try to get forward putting pressure on the wingers. Per Mertesacker might be again asked to partner Laurent Koscielny playing as his central defensive partner. Thomas Vermalen still is yet to recuperate from his niggling knee injury.

Midfield:

Mathieu Flamini returns from a three-game suspension and should get the starting role alongside  Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park. Having played continuously in the absence of Flamini and the injured Ramsey, Spaniard Mikel Arteta might start from the bench for this one.

With Santi Cazorla ruled out thanks to illness, Lukas Podolski should start on the left with either of Gnabry or Tomas Roiscky starting from the right. Mesut Ozil should carry the creative burdens once again, trying to unlock the Reds defence who just gave away one goal last time around.

Striker:

Arsenal now lack that crucial player running beyond Giroud from deep which has meant the Frenchman has stopped being the potent force he was in the first half of the campaign. It might be Nicklas Bendtner who gets a start in place of Giroud and look to prick Liverpool’s thorns by getting a goal which might at the end decide the encounter.