FA Cup: Arsenal v Coventry City match preview

A look ahead to this week’s FA Cup fourth round match at the Emirates Stadium

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may start for first time in six months (David Price/Getty Images)

Arsenal will take on Coventry City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Gunners, who are currently sitting at the top of the Premier League with 51 points, set up the contest when they beat London rivals Tottenham 2-0 at the start of 2014.

They will face a Coventry side placed 11 in League One. Coventry, led by manager Steven Pressley, have enjoyed decent form recently, with their last loss coming against Swindon just before Christmas. They have now only lost one of their last 11 games. Coventry beat Championship side Barnsley 2-0 to set up the tie with Arsenal at the Emirates. Although Arsene Wenger’s team will be fully expected to despatch the lower league side, Arsenal have been known in recent years to lose such games. In last year’s competition, The Gunners were knocked out by Championship side Blackburn in the fifth round. Only a few months before, Arsenal were also beaten by League Two side Bradford in the League Cup.

KICK-OFF: Friday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS:

Arsenal 6 (Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Walcott (2), Miquel) Coventry 1 (Ball), Capital One League Cup, September 2012

STATS:

Arsenal last lifted the FA Cup trophy in 2005. The Gunners were knocked out of competition last year by Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round.

Leon Clarke has scored 18 goals in total this season for Coventry, 3 of which came in the FA Cup.

At the Emirates, Arsenal have shot at goal 16 times on average this season

The last time Coventry beat Arsenal was in December 1999. The Gunners were beaten 3-2 where Robbie Keane scored the winning goal.

ODDS:

Arsenal to win: 1.04

Coventry to win: 29.0

Draw: 8.5

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on ITV 1 at 10.45pm on Saturday