Arsenal Team News: Wenger makes 9 changes for FA Cup clash with Hull

ARSENE WENGER has made nine changes as Arsenal look to progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the expense of Championship leaders Hull.

Arsene Wenger Steve BruceGETTY

Arsene Wenger will be hoping Arsenal can claim their third successive FA Cup this season

Wenger has rested key players with Tuesday's Barcelona match in mind.

David Ospina has replaced usual No1 Petr Cech in goal, while January signing Mohamed Elneny makes his second start and Alex Iwobi also gets the nod.

"We play them every year in the FA Cup! We know them well and they are in a strong position in the Championship," Wenger said.

"We will play a strong side. A normal side."

Meanwhile, Steve Bruce has been forced into changes due to his congested fixture list and talked up the importance of new signing Nick Powell earlier this week.

"He will have a big part to play in the coming weeks. I've told him that. He's versatile and can play as a striker or as a midfielder and I'm sure he can give us that bit of impetus," he said.

"He'll definitely play on Saturday, as will all of the ones who haven't been playing recently.

"Making changes is the only option I've got. After Arsenal, we play again on Tuesday and then Friday so I have to make sure we're fresh enough to compete in those games as well."

Arsenal Team:Ospina, Chambers, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Elneny, Campbell, Iwobi, Welbeck Walcott

Subs: Macey, bellerin, Monreal, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanches, Giroud

Hull Team: Jakupovi?, Davies, Bruce, Maguire, Tymon, Taylor, Meyler, Maloney, Elmohamady, Powell, Diomande

Subs: Kuciak, Odubajo, Huddlestone, Hernández, Diamé, Aluko, Robertson

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