Arsenal are set to face a tough game against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup. The Championship side have already beaten Manchester City in the last round and they would be looking to make it another round where they beat a Premier League side. Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last 10 games and have won their last 5 games in the Championship, they are also on top of the Championship table as they seek a return to the Premier League.
Arsenal would have their hands full when they take on a confident Middlesbrough side and we predict the starting line-up for the Gunners.
Wojciech Szczcesny
Szczcesny is expected to start ahead of Ospina. The Colombian has been good in between the sticks, but Szczcesny could be given a chance to prove himself as Wenger could rest Ospina.
Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs was an unused substitute in place of Monreal and for this crucial tie; Arsenal might use Gibbs, who is more experienced to tackle a tough Middlesbrough side.
Gabriel Paulista
The Brazilian is all set to make his debut for the Gunners. Having moved from Villarreal in the January transfer window, the defender has been on the bench waiting for his chance and the FA Cup comes in the right time for him.
Laurent Koscielny
The Frenchman gets the nod since there really is no option apart from Chambers, who has not looked the best in the few games he has played.
Hector Bellerin
Bellerin was played in the home win over Leicester and should continue his role as the right back in the FA Cup tie for the Gunners.
Francis Coquelin
The rising star of the Arsenal team, Coquelin is literally the first name on the team sheets these days. He would provide the protection the team needs and has slowly become an important cog in the Arsenal lineup.
Tomas Rosicky
Rosicky has been in exceptional form for Arsenal and age does not seem to be catching up with him, he should play in midfield alongside Coquelin and provide Arsenal some creativity in the middle.
Santi Cazorla
Another player who has been playing exceptionally well for the Arsenal team, the Spaniard should continue in the squad and he would be playing as either winger in the front attacking four for Arsenal.
Theo Walcott
Walcott scored the 2nd goal for Arsenal (after coming back from injury) when they beat Leicester and would be looking to use his pace to tear the Middlesbrough team apart. Arsenal would be pinning their hopes on the speedster to unlock the defence and cause Middlesbrough all sorts of problems.
Mesut Ozil
The German would start this game since Alexis Sanchez could be missing the game after a clash of knees in the last game against Leicester. Ozil could play down the middle in his preferred No 10 role for Arsenal and could provide the spark they need.
Olivier Giroud
With Sanchez out of the team, it would be a choice between Giroud and Welbeck and Giroud would get the nod ahead of Welbeck as he seems to provide much more to the starting XI at the moment than the Englishman.