Arsenal get the FA Cup fourth round underway this evening as they take on League One side Coventry, who themselves will be desperate to progress into the next stage. The Midlands side were deducted 10 points at the start of the season due to administrative reasons, but have battled back and are now 11th in the table with 34 points from 26 games.
The fans argue that the club’s soul is taking a battering as they have been forced to play their home games at Northampton’s Sixfields stadium this term, but have rallied round their players impressively as a result.
So, going into tonight’s game, how should Arsene Wenger line his men up?
Firstly, I think Lukasz Fabianski will start in goal – the Polish keeper needs some game time.
At right-back I would expect to see Carl Jenkinson, who has played understudy to Bacary Sagna so far, and in the middle I would go for one experienced head with a youngster. Perhaps Per Mertesacker with Isaac Hayden, or swap the former for Thomas Vermaelen. Then at left-back I would chuck in Kieran Gibbs.
In the two central spaces I would deploy Mathieu Flamini, who can hold the fort, and then unleash Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to add some attacking intent into the midriff.
Then just in front I would like to see Serge Gnabry on one side, Lukas Podolski on the other and perhaps Santi Cazorla or Jack Wilshere in the middle. Should it be the latter, then maybe he and Ox can swap between eachother during the game.
The lone forward spot has to go to Nicklas Bendtner should he be available, as the big Dane showed before he was injured that he can scored goals when he wants to.
Who would you like to see?