LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: David Ospina of Arsenal walks out before the match between Arsenal and Burnley in the FA Cup 4th round at Emirates Stadium on January 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Predicted Starters To Face Hull City
Arsenal’s focus shifts back to the FA Cup as they look to keep their unbeaten run in the competition going. Here’s how they may lineup against Hull City.
One can only imagine that Arsenal are heading into the FA Cup weekend on a high. The Gunners defeated league-leading Leicester City on Sunday by a narrow 2-1 win, but what an important win it was. The win put a valuable 3 points on the table for Arsenal, who cut Leicester’s lead at the Premier League’s summit to just two points, which is far more manageable than an eight point lead Leicester could have had over the Gunners had the result gone their way at the Emirates.
With their Premier League campaign back on track, Arsenal will shift their focus to what is quite possibly their favourite competition, when they take on familiar foes Hull City at home on Saturday. It was nearly two years ago that Arsenal defeated Hull City in the FA Cup final to end their nine year trophy drought. Perhaps that win will be a good omen for the Gunners, who will be looking to continue on the path to a potential three-peat in the FA Cup.
For this game, you can expect a bevy of changes in the Arsenal lineup, as Arsene Wenger will look to give his first team players a rest after their last-gasp win over the league leaders. Here’s how the Gunners are expected to line up against Hull City on Saturday.
Its been a bit of a tough season for David Ospina, with injuries keeping him out of the team altogether, and being demoted to backup with the arrival of Petr Cech. Cech is definitely the goalkeeper going forward for Arsenal in the Premier League, but Ospina is good enough to get into the Arsenal team as cup keeper. Look for the Colombian to start in net on Saturday."
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GK
David Ospina
13, Colombia
Its been a bit of a tough season for David Ospina, with injuries keeping him out of the team altogether, and being demoted to backup with the arrival of Petr Cech. Cech is definitely the goalkeeper going forward for Arsenal in the Premier League, but Ospina is good enough to get into the Arsenal team as cup keeper. Look for the Colombian to start in net on Saturday.
I have to admit, when Laurent Koscielny was subbed off at half-time and replaced with Calum Chambers, I did not feel secure defensively. However, Chambers held his ground very well for 45 minutes, and thus, should be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup in this game."
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RB
Calum Chambers
21, England
I have to admit, when Laurent Koscielny was subbed off at half-time and replaced with Calum Chambers, I did not feel secure defensively. However, Chambers held his ground very well for 45 minutes, and thus, should be rewarded with a place in the starting lineup in this game.
It is my belief that Per Mertesacker was a unsung hero in the game against Leicester. One would think that Mertesacker wouldn’t be able to deal with Leicester’s attack, but Mertesacker managed to keep Vardy and Mahrez quiet throughout the game. The captain will most likely get the start after that solid performance."
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CB
Per Mertesacker
4, Germany
It is my belief that Per Mertesacker was a unsung hero in the game against Leicester. One would think that Mertesacker wouldn’t be able to deal with Leicester’s attack, but Mertesacker managed to keep Vardy and Mahrez quiet throughout the game. The captain will most likely get the start after that solid performance.
I really wanted Laurent Koscielny to be given a rest in this game, but seeing as though Gabriel probably isn’t at full fitness, he will probably have to start this game at the very least."
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CB
Laurent Koscielny
6, France
I really wanted Laurent Koscielny to be given a rest in this game, but seeing as though Gabriel probably isn’t at full fitness, he will probably have to start this game at the very least.
Kieran Gibbs is a decent right back that has been demoted to the bench by a player that has simply developed quicker than he has. Nacho Monreal has improved more than any other player in the Arsenal team, and unfortunately for Gibbs, it costed him his place in the starting lineup. For this game though, Gibbs should be able to handle whatever Hull City throw at him out on that left flank."
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LB
Kieran Gibbs
3, England
Kieran Gibbs is a decent right back that has been demoted to the bench by a player that has simply developed quicker than he has. Nacho Monreal has improved more than any other player in the Arsenal team, and unfortunately for Gibbs, it costed him his place in the starting lineup. For this game though, Gibbs should be able to handle whatever Hull City throw at him out on that left flank.
We haven’t seen much of the only player to come to the club during the January transfer window, and its about time that changed. Coquelin will most likely be rested for this game, so Arsenal fans will be watching closely to see if they can get a better feel for the type of player Mohamed Elneny against Hull City."
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RM
Mohamed Elneny
35, Egypt
We haven’t seen much of the only player to come to the club during the January transfer window, and its about time that changed. Coquelin will most likely be rested for this game, so Arsenal fans will be watching closely to see if they can get a better feel for the type of player Mohamed Elneny against Hull City.
Coquelin played alongside Elneny in the last FA Cup matchup against Burnley, but we will likely see Mathieu Flamini lineup up alongside Elneny for this one.."
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LM
Mathieu Flamini
20, France
Coquelin played alongside Elneny in the last FA Cup matchup against Burnley, but we will likely see Mathieu Flamini lineup up alongside Elneny for this one..
In my opinion, this is the type of game that Joel Campbell is made for. Sure it may be a smaller stage than the Premier League, but Campbell could be one of the standout players when the game is over with. He can use his skill and speed to terrorize Hull City’s defines out on the right wing. We’ve seen what he’s capable of in that position this season, so he deserves a chance to show it again."
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RW
Joel Campbell
28, Costa Rica
In my opinion, this is the type of game that Joel Campbell is made for. Sure it may be a smaller stage than the Premier League, but Campbell could be one of the standout players when the game is over with. He can use his skill and speed to terrorize Hull City’s defines out on the right wing. We’ve seen what he’s capable of in that position this season, so he deserves a chance to show it again.
Despite being in and out of the team (and more recent, out) Theo Walcott came on as a substitute against Leicester City and made a huge impact on the game. Perhaps after that showing, Arsene Wenger will give the England man another chance to make an impact, this time in the FA Cup."
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LW
Theo Walcott
14, England
Despite being in and out of the team (and more recent, out) Theo Walcott came on as a substitute against Leicester City and made a huge impact on the game. Perhaps after that showing, Arsene Wenger will give the England man another chance to make an impact, this time in the FA Cup.
From the few times I have seen Alex Iwobi play in an Arsenal shirt, I have been impressed. He is blessed with technical ability and speed- two things that Arsenal will need to get by Hull City. I’d like to see him get more playing time, and there is no better competition that the FA Cup for him to get some experience."
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CAM
Alex Iwobi
45, Nigeria
From the few times I have seen Alex Iwobi play in an Arsenal shirt, I have been impressed. He is blessed with technical ability and speed- two things that Arsenal will need to get by Hull City. I’d like to see him get more playing time, and there is no better competition that the FA Cup for him to get some experience.
He is undoubtedly the man of the moment, and perhaps every Arsenal fan’s favourite player right now. Danny Welbeck’s last-gasp winner had more importance than any other goal Arsenal has scored so far this season. His goal was the difference between Arsenal staying in the Premier League’s title race, and bowing out in the usual second half of the season meltdown. Make no mistake, Welbeck’s name will be the first on the team sheet, and it is fully deserved."
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ST
Danny Welbeck
23, England
He is undoubtedly the man of the moment, and perhaps every Arsenal fan’s favourite player right now. Danny Welbeck’s last-gasp winner had more importance than any other goal Arsenal has scored so far this season. His goal was the difference between Arsenal staying in the Premier League’s title race, and bowing out in the usual second half of the season meltdown. Make no mistake, Welbeck’s name will be the first on the team sheet, and it is fully deserved.
