WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal runs at Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on October 17, 2015 in Watford, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal Predicted Starters To Face Watford
Arsenal are in action in the FA Cup again, taking on Watford at home on Sunday. Can they win to keep their hopes of a three-peat going in the competition?
The potential three-peat is still on for Arsenal in the FA Cup. Without exaggerating it, the 4th round replay against Hull City in midweek was a must game win for Arsenal, and they did just that. It may have been an unnecessary one, but the win at KC Stadium on Tuesday was much needed for Arsenal, who had not won a game in 5 attempts.
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It was important in the sense that the FA Cup remains Arsenal’s best chance of claiming any silverware this season, considering the fact that the North Londoners are a lofty 8 points adrift from surprise league leaders Leicester City. With barely enough time to recover from their emphatic 4-0 drubbing of Hull City, Arsenal will once again jump right back into FA Cup competition.
On Sunday, they will take on fellow Premier Leaguers Watford, who are enjoying a dream run into the FA Cup quarterfinals but at the same time sit 14th in the Premier League table. It will be interesting to see what kind of team Arsene Wenger decides to field in this game, given the two back-to-back matches in the same competition.
He may choose to field the same starting 11 that won so convincingly in midweek, which would be a case of not trying to fix something that isn’t broken. On the other hand, Wenger may decide to give that winning team a rest, and bring back some of the first team regulars that will be raring to go after being rested. Either way, it seems as though Arsene Wenger will have a squad that is capable of reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for a third straight year.
Here’s how Arsenal may line up against Watford at the Emirates on Sunday.
David Ospina has done a fine job in the absence of Petr Cech, much to the surprise of some Arsenal fans. Naturally, he’s Arsenal’s cup keeper, so he gets the start in net against Watford."
> 
GK
David Ospina
13, Colombia
David Ospina has done a fine job in the absence of Petr Cech, much to the surprise of some Arsenal fans. Naturally, he’s Arsenal’s cup keeper, so he gets the start in net against Watford.
Yes, Calum Chambers has stepped up and played well in the right-back position, but its time for Hector Bellerin to retake his spot in the squad. He needs a good run of games to help him get him in form, as he will be a crucial player that Arsenal rely on in the Premier League run-in.Yes, Calum Chambers has stepped up and played well in the right-back position, but its time for Hector Bellerin to retake his spot in the squad. He needs a good run of games to help him get him in form, as he will be a crucial player that Arsenal rely on in the Premier League run-in."
> RB Hector Bellerin
24, Spain
I’m liking the Gabriel- Mertesacker partnership more and more with each passing game. They are really becoming a solid defensive pairing, and one that Arsenal can rely on if Laurent Koscielny continues to miss games through injury.I’m liking the Gabriel- Mertesacker partnership more and more with each passing game. They are really becoming a solid defensive pairing, and one that Arsenal can rely on if Laurent Koscielny continues to miss games through injury."
> CB Gabriel Paulista
5, Brazil
Per Mertesacker played well against Hull City until an eye injury ended his night. However, Wenger noted that the German’s injury was not serious, so we should see him captain Arsenal to a win on Sunday.Per Mertesacker played well against Hull City until an eye injury ended his night. However, Wenger noted that the German’s injury was not serious, so we should see him captain Arsenal to a win on Sunday."
> CB Per Mertesacker
4, Germany
Like Chambers, Gibbs has done a solid job for Arsenal at the left-back position, but it is time for Nacho Monreal to step back into the squad. Monreal has really made that position his own this season with his stellar defensive play, so he deserves the start.Like Chambers, Gibbs has done a solid job for Arsenal at the left-back position, but it is time for Nacho Monreal to step back into the squad. Monreal has really made that position his own this season with his stellar defensive play, so he deserves the start."
> LB Nacho Monreal
18, Spain
Francis Coquelin will likely be back in the squad after serving his suspension for the red card he received at Tottenham. Coquelin’s passion is exactly what Arsenal need, but hopefully Coquelin does not cause Arsenal another result because of it on Sunday.Francis Coquelin will likely be back in the squad after serving his suspension for the red card he received at Tottenham. Coquelin’s passion is exactly what Arsenal need, but hopefully Coquelin does not cause Arsenal another result because of it on Sunday."
> RM Francis Coquelin
34, France
Mohamed Elneny has been nothing short of impressive since his arrival at the club in January. He doesnt have many games in an Arsenal shirt under his belt, but he has been consistently reliable in defensive midfield when called upon.Mohamed Elneny has been nothing short of impressive since his arrival at the club in January. He doesnt have many games in an Arsenal shirt under his belt, but he has been consistently reliable in defensive midfield when called upon."
> LM Mohamed Elneny
35, Egypt
Was Hull City the wake up call that Theo Walcott needed? The Englishman put in a stellar performance against the Tigers, and a brace is exactly what he needed to boost his confidence. Starting against Watford will undoubtedly do his form some good.Was Hull City the wake up call that Theo Walcott needed? The Englishman put in a stellar performance against the Tigers, and a brace is exactly what he needed to boost his confidence. Starting against Watford will undoubtedly do his form some good."
> RW Theo Walcott
14, England
Needs a confidence booster. Seeing Walcott and Olivier Giroud both bag a brace on Tuesday should light a fire in Alexis Sanchez’s belly. He’s the type of player that just needs one goal to get himself going, so hopefully he’ll be on the scoresheet for Arsenal tomorrow.Needs a confidence booster. Seeing Walcott and Olivier Giroud both bag a brace on Tuesday should light a fire in Alexis Sanchez’s belly. He’s the type of player that just needs one goal to get himself going, so hopefully he’ll be on the scoresheet for Arsenal tomorrow."
> LW Alexis Sanchez
17, Chile
Arsenal had no shortage of chances created in the 4-0 win against Hull City, so imagine the type of damage that they could do with the creative influence of Mesut Ozil added into the squad.Arsenal had no shortage of chances created in the 4-0 win against Hull City, so imagine the type of damage that they could do with the creative influence of Mesut Ozil added into the squad."
> CAM Mesut Ozil
11, Germany
I think every Arsenal fan was relieved to see Olivier Giroud score a brace against Hull City on Tuesday, because let’s face it- Arsenal rely heavily on Giroud to score the team’s goals. He is their top scorer for a reason. If Giroud isn’t scoring, Arsenal isn’t scoring and thus, Arsenal are not winning. They will need Giroud to do the same against Watford tomorrow.I think every Arsenal fan was relieved to see Olivier Giroud score a brace against Hull City on Tuesday, because let’s face it- Arsenal rely heavily on Giroud to score the team’s goals. He is their top scorer for a reason. If Giroud isn’t scoring, Arsenal isn’t scoring and thus, Arsenal are not winning. They will need Giroud to do the same against Watford tomorrow."
> ST Olivier Giroud
12, France
