Arsenal vs Coventry City Preview

FA Cup 4th Round Bracket:

Arsenal and Coventry find themselves 2 of 32 that made it beyond the FA Cup 3rd round. Of the 32 teams that bowed out last round, there were some surprises (Newcastle losing, Villa losing to Sheffield) and there were some less surprising results (United losing to Swansea, Spurs losing to Arsenal). As it stands, this is arguably the most winnable of the three competitions that we're competing in. With a CL draw against the reigning champions and a fierce fight for top spot in the PL, the FA Cup looks good for us.


Arsenal Keep on Keepin' on

Grinding out results has become our thing as of late as the team sits top more than halfway through. However, with six successive wins in all competitions, who can complain? This fine form has been the story of Arsenal's season, bar a rough patch where we faced City and Chelsea in quick succession. Even so, one can't help but hope the squad is prepared for an even more challenging March. With that in mind, Arsenal should look to win the 'winnable' games like this upcoming FA Cup tie. With all due respect to Coventry, this is always a match we should be progressing from.

Arsene Wenger had words of praise for supporters selling out the stadium on a Friday night "It is absolutely fantastic. It is just an indication of how big this club is. I must say I have absolutely total respect for that, that people on the Friday night come to this game and that it is a sell-out."

Last time around, Coventry stayed in the game until halfway through the second half when Arsenal scored five goals in 33 minutes. But these will be two different sides, completely. Only 4/11 of the Coventry lineup from last season will face Arsenal tomorrow. Likewise, due to injuries, transfers and a three-front competition, Coventry will only recognize two Gunners from last year (Ox and Gnabry if they play). Hopefully, this time, a rotated squad will be able to put this game to bed earlier.


Coventry Look to Shock Arsenal

As had been mentioned before, this Coventry side is very different from the one that was thrashed last season. Since that 6-1 victory at the Emirates, the Sky Blues have witnessed a first team overhaul under new manager, Steven Pressley. The Scottish boss was full of optimism while speaking about the fixture, stating "I would not ask my team to turn up on Friday night if I didn't think they had a chance to win the game."

He added "This is not about having a great experience. It's about trying to get a result."

With such a positive outlook on playing a team 54 places above them, you could be forgiven for forgetting that Coventry currently play their home games 35 miles away from their fans, have had a transfer embargo set upon them and began their campaign with a 10-point penalty.

Since then, they have managed to climb to 11th in League One which is something to be relatively cheery about. Let's just hope that on Friday, Arsenal don't give them anything more than a good experience at the Emirates.



Highlights of last season's victory:

Arsenal 6-1 Coventry City 2012:

Match Facts:

• Arsenal have won the FA Cup 10 times to Coventry's one.
  
• Arsenal and Coventry have squared off 75 times. Arsenal - 42 Wins, Coventry - 14 Wins
  
• Coventry have not lost in their last 6 matches (1 loss in 11 matches), while Arsenal have won 6 of their own in a row.
  
• Coventry have scored the second most goals in League One this season.
  
• Arsenal and Coventry have met three times before in the FA Cup (1975, 1977, 2012) and the Gunners knocked the Skyblues out each time.
  

Team News:

Nicklas Bendtner is back and available, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey return Monday. Tomas Rosicky has been ruled out. Yaya Sanogo will return next week. Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott remain out.



COME ON YOU GUNNERS.  

MJ

Great preview MJ

I don't think Zelalem will start though.
Don't hope we take this lightly. Some early goals would be lovely to just knock the energy out of Coventry.

Progress is expected!
C'mon Arsenal

Thanks fellas

Not expecting him to start, really, either. Maybe Cazorla but I expect Arsene to try and limit the starters who start today in light of Soton. Maybe Eisfeld will get the nod!

We owe someone a good and proper hiding, I want to see a cricket score

We've only scored 4 goals in a game ONCE this season

Great Job MJ.

The line up looks good but I have a feeling we go with full squad, Wenger dont like change.

Bendtner deserves to start, but Giroud will start.  


----------------Fabianski
Jenkinson----Mertesacker--Vermaelen----Gibbs
------------Flamini---Chamberlain
Gnabry-----------Cazorla-------Podolski
----------------Bendtner

What Lex said...
But unfortunately I can't see us doing that. We just don't do it anymore. Don't know why.

Earlier in the season, when we played West Brom in the COC, he gave Isaac Hayden a start in midfield, alongside Arteta who was just returning from injury, so I think there's every chance we'll see a youth player involved. I can't see him playing Wilshere, Ozil, Cazorla or Giroud with such a tricky game coming up.

I know we'd like to see a hammering, but lower league sides who are enjoying decent periods of form tend not to get rolled over that easily. Thankfully, we're in much better shape than we were against Blackburn last season, so there shouldn't be an upset. I think it'll be a professional win by two or three goals.

Can't ever remember arsenal playing on a Friday night? it will be a weird feeling but nice to have the game a day earlier.  

Great work MJ


I would like to see some kids. Specially with Southampton on tuesday. But I can see Arsene starting quite few 1st teamers. Just to be sure and avoid any replay. Coventry's first thought will be to take it to replay and get more money.

I don't think it will come to that. We will win whether it's 1-0 or 4-0.


I'd like this team

----------------------------Viviano--------------------------------
Jenkinson----------Vermaelen-------Hayden-----------------Monreal
-----------------Frimpong---------Zelalem-------------------------
Oxlade/Gnabry---------------------Eisfeld/Oxlade------------------------Podolski
------------------------Bendtner---------------------------------

highly doubt it though.

Good stuff MJ.

Cheers boys   

Frimpong forgot he was still here

Great work MJ

why would you want frimpong to start RG?
if Olsson was in squad i would have liked him play Arteta role
good chance for Gibbs and AOC to regain sharpness
Want chambo in more attacking role give him freedom to prosper
pls make it good comfy win
and Defo rest key 1st teamers

COYG

I hope to see this team against Coventry, they should not disappoint.

I wish Crowley was fit, I think Wenger would give him some minutes if not start him.

I'm feeling unwell today, so I'm going to pawn off post-match thread duty to someone else.

Fight for it amongst yourselves.

GoonerJay29 wrote:I'm feeling unwell today, so I'm going to pawn off post-match thread duty to someone else.

Fight for it amongst yourselves.

Get well soon Jay, Arsenal and injuries.   

Note: Arsenal.com listed Vermaelen as injured in their preview so I'm assuming we'll just see Per and Kos at the back tonight.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

Mole Pls go.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:

pls go

Podolski arrived at the Emirates Stadium 9 hours before the FA Cup clash tonight. That's dedication!

No one respects the entertaining tones of Andy Gray these days

When games have been played at Emirates:
Monday: 7
Tuesday: 38
Wednesday: 37
Thursday: 0
Friday: 0
Saturday: 94
Sunday: 38