Arsene Wenger’s men make a trip to the KC Stadium to face Hull City on Saturday 17th September 2016 for their next game in the Premier League. Mike Phelan’s side are currently in the 8th place with Arsenal in 7th in the League table. Arsenal are the undoubted favourites but Hull City have been at their best this season when the odds have been stacked against them. Irrespective of the team sheets and the statistics which states that The Tigers last and only home win against the Gunners came 101 years ago, it will be a tough game for the visitors.
Team News
There can be a number of new faces in the squad for the hosts with Ryan Mason and Dieumerci Mbokani tipped to make their home debuts. Will Keane and James Weir can also be included in the squad for the game. Hull have no injury concerns and should be able to field their best players against Arsenal and would be hoping to show the same resilience on the field as they have shown from the start of the season.
Arsenal has a few injury concerns before the tie with Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud both facing late fitness tests. Petr Cech is likely to return to the starting lineup along with Granit Xhaka as Arsene Wenger look to field a strong side to overcome the challenge of the Tigers. If Giroud is unable to play then Lucas Perez is likely to lead the line with Alexis Sanchez deployed on the flanks after having failed to make any impact as the lone striker in the matches he has played in that position.
Key Players
Curtis Davies and Robert Snodgrass would be the two most important players for Hull City against Arsenal. The hosts would need their captain Davies to give another faultless performance at the back and inspire his team if they are to take anything from the fixture. Snodgrass will be the biggest attacking threat and the catalyst for the attacking moves upfront while trying to deliver quality from the set pieces as well.
For Arsenal, if he plays Olivier Giroud would be key as the visitors would need a presence up front to disrupt the defensive shape of the hosts. Alexis Sanchez can also prove vital if Giroud plays as the movement of the striker would create spaces for the attacker to exploit which can prove fatal for Hull.
Probable Lineups
Hull City (4-1-4-1): Jakupovic, Robertson, Davies, Livermore, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Mason, Diomande, Snodgrass, Hernández.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech, Monreal, Koscielny, Mustafi, Bellerín, Xhaka, Cazorla, Sánchez, Özil, Pérez, Giroud.
Betting Odds:
Arsenal are favourites to win the tie with 5/8, while Hull City are 24/5 for a win. A draw is rated at 31/10. (Via 888Sport)
