Strongest Arsenal Line-up To Face Coventry City – Ox And Gnabry To Start?

After brushing aside cross town rivals Tottenham in the third round, Arsenal have got a relatively easy game when they take on Coventry City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger’s side currently sit atop the Premier League table, just a whisker ahead of Manchester City and Chelsea, are sure to roll past Coventry as Wenger will look to rest several key members of the starting eleven who brushed aside Fulham by two goals last weekend. So what would be Arsenal’s best starting eleven on Saturday? We here at Soccersouls have the answer for all our readers.

Goalkeeping:

The last time that Coventry won the FA Cup was back in 1986-87. However the Championship side would certainly carry a significant goal threat, as they scored two late goals against Barnsley to secure their passage to the fourth round. Wenger is expected to give first choice goalkeeper Wojciech  Szczesny a rest and will ask Lukas Fabianski to take his position under the sticks. As the Metro reports, Fabianski and Podolski took some time off to try their hand in some basketball free throwing. Arsenal would certainly need good distribution on Saturday.

Defence:

Carl Jenkinsen will replace Bacary Sagna in the right back slot, as the latter will get a much deserved rest after giving his best shift every weekend. Jenkinsen, 21 is still very young and games like this will boost his match reading abilities and do his confidence a world of good. Nacho Monreal will man the other flank and will look to barge forward at every opportunity. Thomas Vermalen, who has been attracting interest from Napoli, will surely start with either of Koscielny or Mertesacker alongside him in the heart of the defence.

Midfield:

Mathieu Flamini and Jack Wilshere will again be the double pivot of the 4-2-3-1 formation with the France-England pair looking to providing much solidity in the middle of the park. Thomas Rosicky will also start in the hole behind the lone striker up front as Wenger is sure to give Ozil some rest before the Premier League action resumes again. Its however the wings on either flanks, which will cause Coventry the biggest of threats with Oxlade Old Chamberlain, who played in the U-21’s  2-4 defeat to Liverpool, and Serge Gnabry either side, trying to barge into the middle making late runs behind the defence. Santi Cazorla too, who has been in inspired form of late is also expected to have a break and be rested on the sidelines as Wenger will not risk overusing him.

Forward:

Arsenal’s free flowing attack means Lukas Podolski will start as Giroud deserves some rest and shred his tiredness up front. Podolski up front will be quite a handful for the travelling minnows, and the German will be looking to hit form and get some much needed game time and prove his credential up front.