Quantcast
Home   >   Match   >   Arsenal vs Hull: Preview, Injury News, Preferred XI, Ozil Rested? + Prediction

Arsenal vs Hull: Preview, Injury News, Preferred XI, Ozil Rested? + Prediction

By on December 4, 2013

Our title hunt continues this evening as we welcome Hull City to the Emirates Stadium.

An impressive 3-0 victory over Cardiff on Saturday saw us maintain a four point cushion over second-placed Chelsea – who came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 on Sunday.

Liverpool, Spurs and Man Utd all slipped further off the pace after dropping points at the weekend so we need to keep the pressure up with another win tonight before we head into crunch games against Everton, Chelsea and Man City.

Hull arrive following a shock 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday, so they did us a huge favour, but now it’s time to bring them back down to earth.

Injury News

Unfortunately Bacary Sagna has been ruled out of the game with a hamstring strain so Carl Jenkinson will start at right back. Usually I’d be a little nervous with young Jenks playing as I don’t think he’s ready to be a first team regular, but hopefully he can cope in a home game where we should see plenty of the ball.

Other than that we don’t have any new injuries. Lukas Podolski is close to a return but is still a week away from being in contention, while we won’t see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo or Abou Diaby until into the New Year.

Arsene Wenger has hinted he may rest a few players tonight as he looks to keep the squad fresh for the packed fixture list we’ve got coming up.

I’d like to see Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere among those who are given a breather. Ozil has started every game since arriving and Jack has started his last three. With Everton and Napoli up next, I think this would be a good time to rest the duo.

Kieran Gibbs may also drop out with Nacho Monreal coming in, while Theo Walcott is expected to start his first game in over two months.

Preferred XI

If we keep up the intensity and focus we’ve shown in recent weeks, we’ll have way too much for the visitors. I’m going for a 3-0 win.

Like my line-up? What would yours be? What do you think the score will be?