FA Cup: Predicition of Arsenal's starting eleven against Leeds United
Arsenal play Championship side Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.
Leeds last beat Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1997. That also happened to be the first time that Arsene Wenger led the Gunners in the FA Cup. However, Wenger bounced back from that loss, and defeated Leeds United seven years later in the same round of the competition.
Arsene Wenger’s men are favourites to progress to the next round of the FA Cup this time around. The Gunners are unbeaten since suffering a 1-0 loss against Manchester United on 13
December. Moreover, the Gunners are third in the Barclays Premier League table, and are one of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/The-Strongest-c40725 contenders to win the English League.
However, Leeds United were able to produce a shocker last season in the same round, when they defeated fierce rivals Manchester United by a goal to nil. So, it is expected to be a really exciting match between two English clubs who share a rich history.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has also claimed that he will make a number of changes to the line-up, in order to rest some of his first team players. Many youngsters are expected to be given a chance against Leeds United this weekend.
Nonetheless here is the probable starting eleven of Arsenal.
Goalkeeper:
Arsenal’s veteran goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-Almunia-c23386 is still out of action due to an elbow injury, which he sustained during a home defeat to West Bromwich Albion in September 2010.
Since Almunia’s injury, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lukasz-Fabianski-c22910 has been playing for the Gunners between the posts. However, the Polish shot stopper has played in Arsenal’s last five games, and is likely to be rested for this match.
Arsenal’s third choice keeper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wojciech-Szczesny-c36998 who impressed a lot in his Premier League debut against Manchester United, will surely start against Leeds United on Saturday.
Defenders:
Arsenal centre-back http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850 six months ago. The 24-year-old centre half is expected to be back in action by the end of the month, and will not
feature in this match.
Meanwhile, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kieran-Gibbs-c20945 who suffered a knee injury in a Champions League game against Partizan Belgrade last month, has been deemed fit and is expected to start as a left-back.
Arsenal’s veteran right-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bacary-Sagna-c7148 who was shown a straight red card in Arsenal’s latest draw against Manchester City, will not be eligible to play against Leeds United. However, Emmanuel Eboue will start for the Gunners on the right side of defence.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Laurent-Koscielny-c21742 was part of Arsenal’s defence in the last five matches, and is therefore expected to be rested for the encounter. However, Squillaci who was benched in the last match against Manchester City, is likely to start and lead the defence against
Leeds United. Djourou is likely to partner Squillaci in the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
Midfielders:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Abou-Diaby-c3453 is still out injured and will not participate in this match. However, Arsene Wenger is likely to rest skipper Cesc Fabregas, who played three matches in a row and is still not fully fit. Thomas Rosicky was rested for the last two games and is
expected to lead Arsenal this weekend.
Moreover, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aaron-Ramsey-c3065 who has just returned from a long injury layoff, is also likely to play some part in Saturday’s game. However, the Welsh midfielder is expected to start on the bench.
Denilson and Eastmond are also likely to feature in the midfield against Leeds United.
Forward:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360 are both expected to be rested and will not take any part in this match.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 will retain their positions in the attack.
Tags: