With most of Arsenal’s first team obviously feeling complete cream-crackered after so many fixtures in such a short space of time, it’s very likely that we’ll see a rotated side picked to face Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Although the FA Cup is a trophy, and one which Arsenal as a club take very seriously, the fitness of our senior squad is paramount.

Mesut Ozil, despite returning from having flu, is a doubt, so we could see Alex Iwobi moved centrally, which he’s shown he’s good at.

I also think that Jeff Reine-Adelaide could be given a chance and Olivier Giroud, given his lack of game time so far this season, could be rewarded for his two assists + goal against Bournemouth. As well as his stunner against Crystal Palace, obviously.

With Kieran Gibbs out, Nacho Monreal will probably be at left-back, Rob Holding could get the nod ahead of the injured Laurent Koscielny and with Shkodran Mustafi just returning from fitness, Arsene Wenger could start him so that the less experienced starting XI has some structure. Although, of course, he might just pick Gabriel.

predicted xi v preston north end

You can read the rest of the team news here.