The fourth ever FA Cup tie between Blackpool and Arsenal will almost certainly see Gunners boss Unai Emery make a series of changes to his starting lineup. Given the heavy workload of the festive period, plus the injury crisis this team has at the back, a squad rotation is in order. Especially so against a smaller club, one that the north London side have had their way with.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine against the Seasiders across all competitions (W7 D2), winning the last five. Earlier this season, they beat Blackpool 2-1 in an EFL Cup clash. Let’s take a look at who Emery may start on Saturday.
The Bankย ย Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction (4-2-3-1) vs Blackpool (FA Cup Third Round)
Centre forward:ย Eddie Nketiah
Attacking Midfielders: Alexandre Lacazette, Aaron Ramsey,ย Alex Iwobi
Defensive midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi, Mohamed Elneny
Defenders:ย Stephan Lichtsteiner, Laurent Koscielny,ย Sokratis, Carl Jenkinson
Goalkeeper:ย Petr Cech
Arsenal at Blackpool FYIs
Kick-off:ย 12:30 pm (BST), Saturday January 5, Bloomfield Road
Injury Report for both sides: go to this link
Oddsย via Bet 365: Arsenal win- 1/5, draw- 11/2, Blackpool win- 12/1
Prediction: Arsenal 2, Blackpool 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit onย WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.ย
He also contributes sociopolitical essays toย Chicago Now.ย Follow him on Twitterย andย Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.
