Wenger will have little choice but to field some of the first team players and in certain cases it is very helpful. Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott are two players who are lacking match practice and an extra game will do them good

I have a rather strange feeling about this game, I have since the draw was announced and even more so when it was rearranged and sandwiched in between a run of rather difficult, potentially season defining fixtures. I have always been a fan of the FA Cup, have enjoyed many moments. Ian Wright’s chip against Yeovil, Paul Merson’s late equaliser against Leeds United at Highbury to more recent times. It is a competition for the fans.

But as lovely and cuddly as it is, it is still the third choice on the list of priorities. There is no getting away from the difference of importance from the Premier League and FA Cup.

Some Gooners take on it, is that it is our best chance of silverware and we should go for it and that is their view. My take on it is that if you gave me a choice at the start of the season to win the FA Cup with some wonderful victories along the way and have no chance of winning the league or have a run in the cup, fielding a few of our younger talents and compete for the Premier League title. For me, it is no competition. Our domestic league is our steak and chips, the Fa Cup is the gravy. Give me both and I am over the moon but gravy is only gravy without the real deal.

Arsene Wenger will be thinking of Aston Villa when selecting his side today and rightly so. With the injury list not getting anymore helpful, Arsene will not want to take many more risks to his players. With so many players currently unavailable, Wenger will have little choice but to field some of the first team players and in certain cases it is very helpful. Gael Clichy and Theo Walcott are two players who are lacking match practice and an extra game will do them good rather than negative.

Stoke City do not have such problems, Tony Pulis appears to have a full squad to choose from and will be expecting his players to give their all in order to stop Arsenal playing their own game.

Sol Campbell will make his second debut at the heart of the defence, he should be partnered by the experienced Mikel Silvestre. We could have three French defenders with youngster Francis Coquelin being a possible option at right back.

Craig Eastmond should provide the protection ahead of the defence but it is his midfield colleagues that will be interesting. Cesc Fabregas is almost a certainly to be rested but currently Wenger has Song, Ramsey, Diaby and Nasri will be unavailable.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

I think the game could go either way, we will be playing a team that will not have played together before as well as certain players not having much practice. Hopefully our superior talent will prove to be enough to win the game.