Match Preview - FA Cup Third Round: Arsenal v Sunderland By Brian_Cummins @Funkyphallus on Jan 8, please log in to view this image though this match is being viewed by some as a much appreciated break from the perils of the Premier League, it's still a very tricky away tie against the side who have won this competition two years running. Despite some already writing the game off and thinking ahead to the Swansea game on Wednesday I believe that it's a game which provides it uses. It's a chance to rest tired legs, and nurse out niggling injuries. With that comes the chance to give both youth and fringe players the opportunity to prove themselves to Sam Allardyce and potential transfer window suitors. Selling some of the players who aren't getting alot of game time will create space on the wage bill and allow Sam Allardyce some wriggle room with regards to recruiting, so we may well see him use this as an opportunity to showcase players who don't necessarily play that often. please log in to view this image Match Appointments Referee: Martin Atkinson Assistants: Mark Scholes & Matthew Wilkes Fourth Official: Lee Collins Team News Arsenal Arsenal have no fresh injury worries ahead of Saturday's game, though the tie will come too soon for Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky. Mikel Artetais likely to return to the starting eleven. Sunderland This weekend's cup tie could see plenty of fringe players play a part, as Big Sam looks to find suitors for forgotten men Charis Mavrias, Valentin Roberge and Will Buckley. Jordan Pickford is expected to be given his first team debut in goal. Places on the substitutes bench could be awarded to Lyndon Gooch, Tom Beadling, Tom Robson and Liam Agnew. What The Managers Say Arsene Wenger: "The thinking is to give absolutely everything to qualify. We are the holders of the cup and I know as well by experience that it is very important that you get in the competition and that you have a successful third round. It’s a tricky one, always, the third round." Sam Allardyce: "It's a tough draw in a tough week which has accumulated two three away games in the space of seven days. Realistically it can't be right for us and for the health of players. Everyone is suffering from a huge amount of injuries. They've occurring for everyone because we're asking the players to do too much. it is a period of time when you have to cram a lot in. "We will have one youngster playing; the rest of the team will be the players who have played this season in the Premier League. Some of the players have played most of the games; some of them haven't so I have moved the squad around. "I've rested a couple players who have got niggly injuries and probably won't even travel to get ready for Swansea and Tottenham and hopefully we can manage the situation through and get some results." Past FA Cup Meetings 18 Feb 2012 - Sunderland2-0Arsenal 15 Jan 1997 - Sunderland0-2Arsenal 04 Jan 1997 - Arsenal1-1Sunderland 05 Jan 1991 - Arsenal2-1Sunderland 07 Apr 1973 - Arsenal1-2Sunderland 07 Jan 1961 - Sunderland2-1Arsenal 24 Feb 1906 - Woolwich Arsenal5-0Sunderland 21 Jan 1893 - Sunderland6-0Royal Arsenal Flashback We look back at the 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win back in 1973, where goals from Vic Halom and Billy Hughes booked Sunderland’s place in that year’s final. Stats 'N' Facts Sunderland have not beaten Arsenal in their last seven matches, with only one win from the last 13 games between the two for the Wearsiders. More recently, prior to a 3-1 win against no-hopers Aston Villa, Sunderland were on a five game losing streak. The Gunners, meanwhile, have 6 wins in 7 games. The Black Cats have been unable to win any of their last 17 away fixtures against the Gunners in all competitions. Arsene Wenger’s side lifted the trophy in both 2014 and 2015 and, should the Gunners go all the way in this year’s competition, they will be the first side to do so since Blackburn Rovers claimed the silverware for the third time in a row back in 1886. The Gunners have drawn a mere one of their last 11 home matches in all competitions, while Sunderland have drawn just one of their 10 matches on the road thus far this term. Arsenal have come out on top in five of the last six meetings between these two sides. Arsenal have won eight of their last nine home matches in all competitions and this could well prove to be another gruelling afternoon for Sunderland, especially when it is considered that the Black Cats have lost eight of their 10 fixtures on the road this season. Sunderland have found the net in each of their last five matches away from home – including the 3-1 defeat against Arsenal last month. The Black Cats’ defensive frailties are a real cause for concern. They've leaked 16 goals in their last five fixtures on the road. The Gunners have scored 11 in their last five home matches.
The problem with this fixture is we have very little chance and getting knocked out would probably be the best thing for us anyway. Bloody shame, because I love the Cup and would like a decent run in it. But the Arse away is always tough...
Come out of it with no fresh injuries, give a good account of ourselves so we can walk away with our heads held high, and sneak a cheeky win in the last five minutes isn't a lot to ask for is it.
I bet he sends out 9 seniors. End up getting beat, 2 sent off and 3 crocked. If he does the tables gannin up mind.
-------------Pickford------------ Yedlin----Roberge--Brown--Pva ----------Catts---Gomez-------- Buckley----Toivonen------Mavrias --------------Lens---------------
Don't think that will be far off Parker. Maybe Catts for Yann due to Catts coming out of a back injury. Just a bit concerned with Catts given it's a long standing problem which reared it ugly head. Oh I think Watmore will start.
I remember the 73 semi final because I wasn't there. I was in London with the school watching the under 16 international. They kept flashing our score on the electronic scoreboard. Magic day. x
Beadling? What are they basing this on mate? Coz there's a direct quote from Sam stating only one youngster will start... I'm expecting something like this: -------------Pickford------------ Yedlin----Coates--O'Shea--Pva ----------M'Vila---Gomez-------- Watmore----Toivonen------Lens --------------Graham---------------
Saw on it Sky mate, down the local. No idea where they got it from. Maybe Sam doesn't regard Pickford as a young'un, with all his Championship and England U21's experience, which would make Beadling it!
Don't think so mate... "We will have one youngster playing; the rest of the team will be the players who have played this season in the Premier League." Pickford hasn't played in the Prem this season. Hope you're right though and Sam's just playing mind games, I really think we need to rotate the back line and excited to see what Beadling has to offer!
Ah! I didn't see the whole quote. Its going to be a game of second-stringers on both sides in any case. Wenger sent 8 of his first teamers on holiday. Could be an interesting day!
Going for a win/draw today, got a good feeling about this match.. Cracking thread as usual Bri.. Ha'way the Lads..
**** knows what our line-up will be. I hope he gives 3 or 4 youth players a run-out. Pickford, Beadling, Agnew and Gooch the spine with experience alongside them would be nice to see. Rather that than Gomez and the likes flapping atound the pitch.
Sam did not say only one youngster, he said only one play who has not played first team football before. That leaves room for a lot of players. It depends on what he means by first team football, at the very least that will include any league or cup game, so the likes of Honeyman who played as a sub at Bradford would not count as a new face. So we could still see a lot of the kids given a chance. If he includes pre season games as playing for the first team then Pickford played in pre season, so it could be that he is planning on playing one of the under 15's. That's the beauty of a public statement, it can be read so many different ways.
