Arsenal travel to Deepdale in Lancashire to take on Preston North End today in the FA Cup third round.
The Gunners are likely to ring the changes for their opening FA Cup outing of the season, but will be keen on making sure they remain strong enough to win the fixture.
Arsenal have taken the competition very seriously in recent years, losing only one game in their last 17 whilst lifting the trophy twice.
Arsene Wenger has already hinted at making changes for the tie, stating that Alexis Sanchez was in need of a rest, and I would expect to see a number of developing stars promoted to the first-team for the match-up.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Rob Holding, Ashley Maitland-Niles and Emiliano Martinez could all find themselves in the starting line-up, as they have done in the League Cup already this term, while Gedion Zelalem and Chris Willock may also have a chance of earning a rare start in the senior side.
The Championship side are not enjoying their best of seasons as they currently sit in mid-table, but will be happy to still be within six points of the play-off places with so much of the campaign still to run.
The have some experienced heads in their side including former Man United shot-stopper Anders Lindegaard, who will be keen to deny our side, but you would imagine he will have too much work to do to keep us out.
We have doubts over the fitness of Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Lucas Perez and Mesut Ozil, so I’ve left them out of my line-up, while I firmly expect Danny Welbeck to come off the bench during the match.
Predicted XI:
Ospina
Jenkinson Holding Koscielny Monreal
Maitland-Niles Ramsey
Oxlade Reine-Adelaide Iwobi
Giroud
Wenger has shown in previous years that he is more than capable of getting these youngsters ready and settled to slot into the team, and I firmly expect whichever team he does select to do well.
I’m going for a 2-0 away win, although should we bring both Lucas Perez and Danny Welbeck on from the bench in the second half, they may well steal the show and dominate a tiring PNE defence.
whatever makes you happy!………… Whoever graces the pitch today, anything short of a comfortable win will be disgraceful as well as questionable!
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Goodluck boyz..
I’d say Gabriel will play. And I’d switch places with Iwobi and Adelaide. That’s if Iwobi starts. Perez should get a game here I think.
Perez…Oxlade..Adelaide
………..Giroud
Could be a tougher game than some think. I heard Holding speak about them and he says they’re very physical and that they like to play long ball. Some of those Championship teams can be real awkward to play against, even with a first team. I expect Giroud to keep his form going.