Premier League powerhouses Arsenal are preparing for a cup classic against Mansfield Townplaceholder image
Premier League powerhouses Arsenal are preparing for a cup classic against Mansfield Town | Getty Images
Arsenal have made wholesale changes to the team that beat Brighton 1-0 on Wednesday night
Premier League leaders Arsenal have confirmed their starting lineup for this weekend’s FA Cup match at Mansfield Town.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who are the most successful team in FA Cup history with 14 trophies, have handed a full full start to defender Marli Salmon.
The 16-year-old is making just his fourth ever appearance for the Gunners at first team level after appearing as a substitute against Club Brugge in the Champions League, and Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic in the earlier rounds of this competition.
Salmon features alongside fellow academy graduate Max Dowman. The midfielder, also aged 16, is making his first appearance since picking up an injury in November. The England Under-19 international has already made an impression this season in five first team outings after a stellar campaign for the reserves last year, which saw him score 19 times in 23 appearances.
Brazilian internationals Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus also come into feature for a strong Arsenal team that also features former Champions League winner Kai Havertz, Ex-Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard and Italian international defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Some of the big names on the bench, include Bukayo Saka and big summer signings Victor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.
Here is the full Arsenal lineup for today’s match against Mansfield Town: Kepa, Salmon, Mosquera, Calafiori, Norgaard, Havertz, Trossard, Madueke, Dowman, Martinelli, Jesus
Ahead of the match, Mikel Arteta said: “Hopefully, we’re going to do what we have to do and earn the right to win the game. We’ve been knocked out a few times in a difficult way and it’s a terrible feeling. It feels like it damages your reputation. So, yeah, you don’t want to go through that.”
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