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Arsenal v Lincoln preview: new injury doubt, Perez starts + prediction

By on March 11, 2017

It’s time to put the Bayern Munich debacle behind us and get our season back on track when we take on Lincoln City in the quarter final of the FA Cup at the Emirates this evening.

Tuesday’s humiliation not only saw us crash out of the Champions League knockout stages yet again but it’s pilled even more pressure on Arsene Wenger’s shoulders.

There was a protest ahead of the Bayern game and there’s another planned this afternoon with a growing number of fans calling for the boss to leave at the end of the season.

The atmosphere in the stadium is likely to be subdued but I hope that doesn’t affect the players too much as another defeat this evening would be a total disaster for Arsenal FC.

It’s bad enough getting thrashed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern but losing at home to a non-league side would be a new low for this great club, so we need to put all feelings towards Wenger and the board to one side and get behind the players today.

Team News

It seems Ospina has emerged as an injury doubt for the game after picking up a knock in midweek so Cech could come in to start his first FA Cup game of the season.

Ozil and Iwobi trained yesterday after missing the Bayern game through illness but there was no sign of Welbeck so he’s expected to miss out today.

Ramsey made his return to the starting eleven against Bayern after a month out injured but Elneny and Cazorla remain unavailable.

Wenger is expected to freshen things up with Perez and Gibbs among those set to come in while Sanchez could start his first FA Cup tie this season.

Preferred Line-Up

The chances are Gabriel will start but I’d like to see Holding given a run out in defence while I’d love to see Wenger continue with three in midfield as I thought it worked wonders during the first half against Bayern.

That would leave Ozil out but I’m not convinced the boss will start him anyway. No doubt Wenger will recall Coquelin but I’d stick with The Ox and Ramsey in front of Xhaka.

This would be my line-up:

Prediction

Obviously we should batter Lincoln. They are a non-league side coming to the Emirates so it should be a comfortable victory. A nice early goal would settle any nerves and as long as the players don’t take this task too lightly, I expect to see us score a few goals today. Arsenal 4-0 Lincoln