There were always going to be some changes made by Arsene Wenger to the Arsenal starting XI for this third round FA cup clash with Preston North End, but the boss has kept faith with the competition that has been so good to him and the club and gone for a pretty strong Gunners side.
So although he has rested the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny, Wenger has given Arsenal a good chance of getting through to the fourth round by including big name players like Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Mustafi, Gabriel, Monreal, Xhaka and the Oz.
The only player included who is not really a first team regular is the young Ashley Maitland-Niles who comes in for Bellerin at right back. Ospina in goal is a quality replacement for Cech and even Rob Holding has had to make do with a place on the bench.
Ospina
Maitland-Niles, Mustafi, Gabriel, Monreal
Xhaka, Ramsey
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Lucas Perez
Giroud
Subs: Martinez, Jenkinson, Holding, Reine-Adelaide, Dasilva, Willock, Welbeck.
It will be great for the Arsenal fans if we see the return of Danny Welbeck in this game and looking at the subs bench you would think there is a good chance of that. As long as we do not need him to rescue a dire situation then it should be a good day for the Gunners.
Bob.