Arsene Wenger is famous for his use of the English cup competitions as opportunities to play his youth players. With a number of his senior players injured, he was probably going to have to do that anyway. Leeds United comes to the Emirates Stadium on Monday in the final match of the FA Cup Third Round, not counting the replays that are set to be played next week. Leeds have struggled in recent away matches in the League Championship, but have enough firepower to make a game against Arsenal's B-team interesting.
All eyes will be on the likes of Francis Coquelin, Ignasi Miquel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, all of whom look poised to break into the first choice 18-man squad over the next year or so. Robin van Persie will be rested and Gervinho has joined the Ivory Coast squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning on-loan forward Thierry Henry is likely to make an appearance in the match.
Arsenal vs. Leeds United
Game Date/Time: Monday, Jan. 9, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: FOX Soccer Channel (USA), Sportsnet World (Canada), ESPN (UK)
For more on the Gunners, check out Arsenal blog The Short Fuse.