Arsenal bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to a team not to be mentioned in midweek, by beating Leicester City 2-1, to keep us within a point of the Champions League places.
We now have the luxury of an FA Cup fixture against lower-league opposition, but given their emphatic win over Manchester City at the Etihad in the last round, MIddlesborough should not be taken lightly.
Arsene Wenger has lifted the trophy five times in his Arsenal managing career, and with all three of the top four having been eliminated already, we are among the favourites to become 2015 FA cup champions.
The Frenchman is heavily expected to field a strong line-up, although we will not be risking Alexis Sanchez who returned to training today.
Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are also out, which could allow 17 year-old winter signing Krystian Bielik a chance within the squad, but a place in the starting XI seems rather unlikely.
Wojciech Szczesny has been confirmed in goal, while we firmly expect Gabriel Paulista to make his club debut. A couple of notable exclusions from my XI would be Laurent Koscielny due to his continued injury problems, as well as Calum Chambers, being overlooked in favour of young Hector Bellerin for the cup match.
My preferred line-up:
Szczesny
Bellerin-Gabriel-Mertesacker-Monreal
Coquelin-Rosicky
Walcott-Ozil-Welbeck
Giroud
Middlesbrough will obviously be on somewhat of a high from their last round scalp, as well as having been on a six-win run in all competitions, which has fired them to the top of the Championship table.
We are set for a tough cup tie at the Emirates, but with our obvious ability advantage, we just need to stick to our game and our class will shine through. What do you expect tomorrow Gooners?