FA Cup 4th round: Arsenal vs. Coventry City - Preview

Tears are the silent languages of grief.

And it is certainly the case for the Arsenal fans when they hear about the FA cup. The history tells that FA cup is the last domestic crown they saw being lifted by their brave and probably the greatest midfielder in Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal outclassed their bitter North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs, in FA Cup 3^rd round. And in the process, they kicked out one of their rivals who were expected to be competing for this glory.

Although Arsenal FC are sitting at the top of the pile in EPL by proving the doubters wrong, Football Pundits expect Manchester City and Chelsea to compete for the championship. With ever growing confidence of these cash rich groups, along with many experts expecting this Arsenal squad to face a burnout in the race for the EPL crown. So, FA cup looks as the realistic trophy Arsene Wenger can concentrate on to end the 9 year trophy drought. On Saturday night, Arsenal will battle against 11^th placed, league one side in Coventry City. Last year, Blackburn Rovers Embarassed Arsenal at the Emirates stadium in FA Cup 5th round. It was Arsene Wenger’s first loss against a lower league side at the home turf in this competition since 1997. It ended Arsenal’s 35 matches unbeaten home run in the FA Cup . Since 2005, the Gunners have got beaten in the 4^th round only once i.e in 09/10 season against Stoke City at the Britania Stadium.

With only one defeat in this competition against lower league clubs since 1997 at the home turf, suggests, how dominant Arsene Wenger has been against lower league oppositions.

Coventry City have lifted this trophy only once in their history in 1986-87. Prior to entering into the 4^th round, Coventry City demonstrated supreme comeback ability, by scoring 2 late goals against Barnsley. Leon Clarke,Callum Wilson and Franck Moussa have shared 45 goals in between them in all competitions. So they will be the main threat against Arsenal FC. After signing for Coventry City in 2013, Leon Clarke has registered 23 goals in 34 caps. 0.67 goals per match is a good return for any striker. In last 5 matches in the championship, they have gained 9 points from possible 15. So, overall they are on a pretty good run.

Arsenal’s Line-up for previous match against Fulham was as follows –>

Szczesny

Sagna Mertesacker Koscielny Monreal

Flamini Jack

Gnabry Ozil Cazorla

Giroud

With Theo Walcott out for the rest of the season and over reliance on Oliver Giroud means, he will be rested against Coventry City. Mesut Ozil has been little inconsistent of late,understandably because of the intensity of the English game. So, Thomas Rosicky will play in the hole instead of Mesut Ozil behind the striker. With 4^th round match will be played at the Emirates, Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are expected to be in the line up with both of them replacing Gnabry and Giroud respectively. Santi Cazorla has shown great form in recent matches, so he is likely to retain his place against Coventry City. Per Mertesacker will get the necessary rest with club captain Thomas Vermaelen pairing with in form Koscielny . Elsewhere, Fabianski will replace Szczesny to deputize the Arsenal goal.

As usual, Arsenal will play in the free flowing 4-2-3-1 formation, with Flamini protecting the back four and allowing others to play direct, fast, one touch and easy on the eye football at the Emirates.

Following is the probable line up of Arsenal FC ahead of their 4^th round tie against Coventry City.

Fabianski

Jenkinson Koscielny Vermealen Gibbs

Flamini Jack

Chamberlain Rosicky Cazorla

Podolski

Prediction: 3-0 to Arsenal

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Kick-off: Saturday, 25^th January, 1:15 am (IST)