Team News
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger is expected to start more of his young players this time. After the humiliation against Bayern Munich in the midweek at home, the best way to shake it off would be an instant win. And what better opponent could one hope for than a non-League side Lincoln City.
Rob Holding should return in defence to partner Shkodran Mustafi. The duo started in their last game against Sutton United as centre-halves and it went well. David Ospina is expected to take his place under the bar after a horrendous night against Bayern. Alex Iwobi is down with the flu and we expect Jeff Reine-Adelaide to start in that position.
There have been intense speculations of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving the club coming summer as the player is yet to find a concrete position in the squad. He played as the number 10 last time as Ozil started from the bench and we expect him to start in that position this time too. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has a high chance of starting in the central midfield alongside Aaron Ramsey, who has just returned from injury and was decent last game.
Lincoln City
A huge miss for Lincoln City will be that of on-loan striker Lee Angol. The 22-year-old has been in hot form at the moment and even bagged a hat-trick in the last game, which was his debut. But to Crowley’s misfortune, the forward has previously featured in the competition with Peterborough United, which makes him ineligible for the crunch clash.
Manager Danny Crowley decided to start many first team players from the bench in their last game against Braintree Town like centre-forward Matt Rhead, left midfielder Nathan Arnold. Midfielder Alan Power was even rested for the game.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)- Ospina; Gabriel, Mustafi, Holding, Gibbs; Ramsey, Reine-Adelaide; Walcott, Chamberlain, Maitland-Niles; Perez
Lincoln City (4-4-2)- Farman; Wood, Waterfall, Raggett, Habergham; Arnold, Woodyard, Power, Hawkridge; Muldoon, Rhead
Key Players
Arsenal- Oxlade-Chamberlain is brimming with confidence at the moment. And after the last two matches ending fruitlessly despite some electrifying displays up front, he will expect to finally get it right this time against a comparatively weaker side. Any form of confidence is priceless at the moment. Lucas Perez has been prolific so far in the little appearances he has got and we expect him to keep his stats up in the debut season.
Lincoln City- Matt Rhead has scored 13 goals in 32 games for the non-league side so far and Crowley would hope he gets his touches right in the huge fixture. Midfield Nathan Arnold has also been in good form this season scoring 11 times in 34 games. He could also be dangerous.
Betting Odds
Arsenal @ 1.083
Draw @ 15.00
Lincoln City @ 26.00
