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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to make up to six changes to his side for the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Liverpool on Sunday as he keeps one eye on the Champions League tie with Bayern Munich three days later, reports The Telegraph.
The Frenchman is adamant that he will field a strong team, but is likely to utilise his squad, with a major reshuffle on the cards after an uninspiring showing in the midweek 0-0 draw with Manchester United.
Wenger will not want to risk accusations that he undervalues the domestic competition, but with several key men in need of a rest ahead of the visit of the European champions he faces a selection dilemma.
The Gunners boss has traditionally prioritised title ambitions and European campaigns ahead of the FA Cup, but the world’s oldest cup competition could represent the club’s best chance of silverware this season.
The trio of Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker were rested for the third round victory over Tottenham in January and could start on the bench. Meanwhile, Lukasz Fabianski, Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Flamini, Serge Gnabry, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski are all expected to be in contention for a starting berth.
Wenger’s season is delicately poised, with pride at stake after the 5-1 humiliation at Liverpool last week he will not want to risk a fans backlash. Similarly, he will be keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s tussle with the Bavarians that was all but over after a poor display in the first leg.
With such a gruelling fixture list Wenger was always likely to be forced to make sacrifices and take risks, with his failure to bolster his squad in January now beginning to look like an error of judgement.
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has no such problems due to the Merseysiders absence from European competition. He is free of midweek fixtures and will enjoy the luxury of having seven days between the FA Cup game with Arsenal and his side’s next Premier League fixture.
