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Gabriel Starts, Cazorla Out: How Arsenal Should Line-Up v Boro

By on February 13, 2015

Danny Welbeck

Arsenal welcome Middlesbrough to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon in the fifth round of the FA Cup. This is the line-up I’d like to see Arsene Wenger go with…..

I’ve said for a few weeks now that I’d like to see Szczesny recalled and the boss has confirmed he’ll start in goal this weekend after impressing in training.

Hopefully the Polish international can have a good game and keep a clean sheet to give Wenger something to think about, as I’m not convinced by Ospina yet and would like to see Wojceich regain his No.1 shirt.

The boss has also said that Gabriel is ‘very close’ to being handed his debut and I think this is an excellent opportunity to give him his first start. We can rest Koscielny and I’d start Mertesacker to give Gabriel an experienced head to play alongside at the back.

Gibbs should certainly come in at left-back as he’s been unfortunate to miss out in recent weeks while Chambers should also be given a run-out at right-back. The youngster has been left-out recently after Arsene admitted he’d over-played him during the first half of the season but he still needs to play some football.

I know we’ve been playing a 4-1-4-1 type formation of late but I’d like to see us make a slight tweak with a 4-2-3-1 to give Ozil a free role behind the striker to really get the best out of him.

Ramsey is out injured with a hamstring injury while I think it’s too soon to start Wilshere so I’d put him on the bench. Cazorla deserves a rest and Rosicky can do a job alongside Coquelin at the base of the midfield while Welbeck and Walcott provide pace and goal-threat from the wide positions.

Sanchez is expected to miss out with a minor knee injury so Giroud will spearhead the attack:

This is the side I’d go with and I expect Arsene will pick a similar line-up on Sunday – although I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Flamini start.

Either way, we should still field a side more than capable of beating Middlesbrough and reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup.

COYG!!

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