Arsenal fans already know that our FA cup opponents on Saturday are likely to field a weakened side, after the Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce had a right old moan about his fixture schedule. He might be trying to pull a fast one but I very much doubt it with their Premier League survival under threat and being the club’s clear priority.
So that makes up in some way for Arsenal having the bad luck to get a Premier League team while the likes of Liverpool, Man United and Chelsea get Exeter, Sheffield United and Scunthorpe. Anyway, the situation for Sunderland means that Arsene Wenger will feel able to do a fair bit of squad rotation while still retaining a good chance of getting through.
But how many and which changes do you think the Arsenal boss should make? Bearing in mind that because of the injury list a lot of the Arsenal first team have had very little rest and we have just had that busy festive schedule I think it is important for some key players to be rested until the Liverpool game next week, so assuming that Alexis Sanchez is fit and available, this would be my starting XI.
Ospina
Debuchy, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs
Flamini, Arteta
Campbell, Alexis, Chamberlain
Walcott
What do you think Gooners and how would you line Arsenal up for the cup?