Predicted Arsenal Line-up To Face Nottingham Forest In The FA Cup
Hector Bellerin managed to steal a late point for Arsenal against Chelsea earlier this week as both teams will feel that they dropped a couple of points from that mega clash. The Gunners are in more need of those points, but Arsene Wenger will now have to turn his attention towards the 3rd round of the FA Cup, where they travel to City Ground to face Nottingham Forest to start their title defence.
After the 0-0 draw against Leeds United earlier this week, Forest have now picked up just two points from their last four league outings but playing at home, they will fancy their chances of causing an upset in this game. Wenger has a week before his side come back to action after this game and could hence go with a strong side.
Team News
In early team news, the Gunners are still without the services of Nacho Monreal, Olivier Giroud, Sead Kolasinac, and Santi Cazorla, all of who are still out. Skipper Laurent Koscielny and midfielder Aaron Ramsey are nearing a return but might not be risked for this game.
Probable Arsenal XI
Formation: 4-3-3
GK – David Ospina
Ospina is Arsenal’s cup goalkeeper and is expected to replace Petr Cech, who will enjoy a much-deserved rest.
RB – Mathieu Debuchy
Giving Hector Bellerin a break should be Debuchy, who will not get a better chance than this to impress Arsene Wenger.
CB – Calum Chambers
After a decent outing against Chelsea, Chambers is expected to retain his place at the back, in the wake of injuries to key players.
CB – Per Mertesacker
The German is struggling to break into the first team this season but is the first choice in cup competitions and should partner Chambers at CB.
LB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles
The youngster has been showcasing his talent and in the absence of Kolasinac, is expected to start this game at left-back.
CDM – Francis Coquelin
The French midfielder has lost the manager’s faith in him this season but this clash will be a good chance to prove himself.
CM – Mohamed Elneny
With Ramsey out injured and Xhaka needing a rest, Elneny, who has failed to find consistency in the midfield, is expected to partner Coquelin this weekend.
CM – Joe Willock
The youngster has shown no nerves in the couple of first-team appearances he has made in the League Cup this season and deserves to start yet again, in this FA Cup tie.
RW – Theo Walcott
The English winger has not been able to impress the manager in the few starts he has made in Europe but this knockout game will give him a great chance to win back some faith.
LW – Alex Iwobi
An unused substitute in the game against Chelsea, Iwobi will also be raring to go and prove himself, with a productive performance in front of goal against Forest.
ST – Danny Welbeck
With Giroud out injured, Welbeck remains Wenger’s only other option to lead the line after Alexandre Lacazette and is expected to start this weekend.