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Confirmed line-ups: Oxford vs Arsenal – Saka and Martinelli start

By on January 9, 2023

Bukayo-Saka-arsenal

Arsenal take on Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium tonight in the third round of the FA Cup.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has rotated his squad for the game with several important first team players rested. Aaron Ramsdale is among those given a breather as No.2 goalkeeper Matt Turner comes in.

Kieran Tierney replaces Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back and the Scottish international will be looking to impress. There is also a change at right-back for Arsenal with Takehiro Tomiyasu coming in for Ben White.

Rob Holding is given a recall by Arteta as he replaces William Saliba in the back four meaning Gabriel keeps his place tonight.

Understandably, Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are rested ahead of the North London Derby next weekend. Mohamed Elneny is recalled in the holding role for Arsenal while Albert Sambi Lokonga is also handed a start in midfield.

Martin Odegaard has been in terrific form lately but he drops to the bench tonight with Fabio Vieira given a chance to impress. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli surprisingly keep their places in the attack.

Reiss Nelson remains out injury while Emile Smith Rowe is only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench after only just returning from a prolonged injury absence.

Marquinhos is named among the substitutes with Eddie Nketiah continuing up front in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.

Here are the line-ups for the game:

Arsenal

Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Vieira, Lokonga; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.

Subs: Hein, White, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Marquinhos, Butler-Oyedeji.

Oxford

McGinty; Anderson, Moore, Long, Brown; Bate, McGuane, Brannagan; Bodin, Taylor, Murphy.

Subs: Eastwood, Fleming, Findlay, Johnson, Goodrham, Negru, Wildschut, Sade, O’Donkor.