Jan 4, 20192 min read

Arsenal (H) FA Cup Preview

For a normal club, this would be anticipated to be the game of the season. A game of huge proportion that would not only be tangible for the fans, but the club as a whole. Not Blackpool. For Blackpool this is a game tinged with a certain sadness. For sure, it will prove to be an effective depiction of the Oyston regime, but this is not want the fans want. Blackpool fans want their club back and only when that happens can matches such as this one provide the excitement that they truly should.

Injuries and suspensions: Blackpool's injuries and suspensions have much to do with their recent league slump . Curtis Tilt and Ollie Turton are returning to fitness, but it might be just too late. Jimmy Ryan, Mark Cullen and Max Clayton will all be out through injury and Thompson's red card at Rochdale will also see him miss out.

Arsenal are having injury problems of their own, especially in defence. Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal and Shkodran Mustafi are all likely to miss out in this area. Mkhitaryan. Smith-Rowe, Welbeck and Ozil are also on Arsenal's long list of injuries and with the FA Cup being one of Emery's last chances of realistic silverware this year.

Arsenal Squad: https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/1/Arsenal/squad

Statistics: Arsenal, having gone on an unbeaten run that spanned from after the second game of the season, have won just twice in their last five in the league, in that time getting thumped 5-1 by Liverpool. Unai Emery has seen improvement at Arsenal, but things have not been easy going. After being disposed of by Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, following victory over Blackpool, and sitting 5th in the League, the FA Cup and the Europa League are their last remaining opportunities of silverware. It would not be a surprise to see a strong Arsenal side named as Emery looks to pick up a trophy in his first season and will desperately be looking to avoid a 'cupset'.

Arsenal are scoring goals, 2.19 on average, which is hardly surprising with the lethal Aubameyang, who has scored 16 goals, and with the Lacazette, who has 9 goals and 7 assists. Both have been played essential roles so far, but they are more frail when the back lines are examined. They have conceded 1.48 goals per game and have kept just 3 clean sheets in the league all season, something Blackpool will look to make the most of on Saturday.