Pressed this week on whether the cup remained important despite winning it last year, Wenger maintained its importance saying “We want another cup run and we want, if possible, to keep the trophy.”
With the mood among supporters unsurprisingly down following the defeat at Southampton, it’s worth reminding ourselves of that wonderful day in May. The sun shone, Arsenal won the cup, filling supporters with a renewed sense of optimism, which has since dissipated under the weight of a hugely underwhelming first half of the season.
Arsenal Injury News
Normally a third round home cup tie would be seen as an opportunity to rotate the squad, but with Arsenal's amount of injuries, this may not be possible.
Arsene said on Friday that of the eighteen players involved against Southampton “Nobody else will play” meaning nobody else will be back from injury. This means Wilshere (ankle), Arteta (calf), Ramsey (Hamstring) and Flamini (groin) are all out of the midfield.
Koscielny is likely to be rested given his chronic calf problem. Welbeck is doubtful as well as Sanogo, and Giroud is suspended. Some good news comes in the possible return for Ozil after a three month layoff, but even so this would still only mean a place on the bench.
Arsenal Team Shape
We already know that Ospina will come in for Szcesney, with Martinez on the bench. With Szcesney's mistakes at St. Mary's, this represents a real opportunity for the Columbian to stake a claim for the No.1 spot against Stoke.
At the back, Bellerin could get a run out at right back with Debuchy moving in to the middle against to partner Mertesacker. Gibbs could be rested in place of Monreal, but a centre-back partnership of Monreal and Debuchy seems unlikely.
In Midfield Coquelin is likely to continue, with Chambers partnering him at the base of midfield. It's fair to say Chambers didn't have his best game in his first game in defensive midfield for Arsenal, so he could possibly drop back into defence leaving space for Oxlade-Chamberlain to move back to the base of the midfield.
Further forward Joel Campbell and Chuba Akpom could get a rare game in Arsenal's front three, as Alexis Sanchez is in dire need of a rest. Theo Walcott could get his first start following his injury. Otherwise Cazorla or Oxlade Chamberlain could fill one of the wide or attacking midfield positions.
Hull on Revenge Mission?
It’s been a poor first half of the season for the tigers but the mood has been lifted greatly by six points over the Christmas period.
A 2-0 win over Everton last time out point to a side that may have turned the corner in their season and Steve Bruce beginning to get the best from his side again.
Arsenal needed a last minute Welbeck goal to rescue a point in this fixture in October, and Wenger needs no reminding of the dangers that Hull can pose saying on Friday “Hull are a team that are always very dangerous against everybody.”
Verdict
Arsenal can ill afford to go out at the first round of a second domestic cup competition this season, owing to their poor league form. A good cup run would lift the mood around the Emirates but defeat tomorrow, will only double the pressure surrounding the manager.
Only George Ramsey has won the FA cup more times than Arsene as a manager, and a win tomorrow will go some way to steadying the ship. Although Hull will of course provide a stern test, Arsenal should have enough attacking strength to get a win, especially at home.
Likely Line-Up
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Campbell, Alexis
Come on the Arsenal!
