Arsenal take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Arsenal will be without Danny Welbeck due to a knee injury. Arsene Wenger said before the game that the former United man is the only one not near full-fitness.
Wenger said, . “Danny Welbeck is out still. He will not be fit for us or for England. Thata s basically the only injury we have at the moment. His bone bruising at the knee was not healed and that he absolutely had to rest.a
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Debuchy and captain Mikel Arteta have returned to training and are in contention for a spot in the final. However, whether the trio features in the gameday squad remains to be seen.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is expected to retain his place ahead of David Ospina.
The main selection dilemma for Wenger comes in the form of Theo Walcott. Walcott started as a striker, and scored a brilliant hat-trick. After such a dominating performance, Walcott will expect to be picked for the final. Jack Wilshere scored Match of the Daya s Goal of the Season in their last game before the final and he too, will want a place in the final. However, Wenger has hinted that the two could find themselves on the bench on the day of the final.
The Frenchman said, a I have some big selection decisions to make on Saturday. Even to leave some top internationals out of the squad shows that we have a very big squad.
a He (Walcott) has shown that he is back in good form but thata s normal. I said that before last weeka s game.
a What is important is that we do not make too many individual cases before the cup final. Ita s the whole team who can win it.
a I dona t know who will start yet and ita s not important because ita s just on the day in the FA Cup final. What is important is that you bring the trophy back. Ita s always a concern for the whole squad.a
Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Cazorla, Coquelin; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Giroud