The Premier League and Championship teams enter the fray this weekend across 31 FA Cup third-round ties, including a repeat of last year’s final. Arsenal host Hull just eight months after their 3-2 victory over the Tigers at Wembley in May, which secured Arsene Wenger his first trophy in nine years.
England international Theo Walcott could come back into the team following his return as a substitute on New Year’s Day along with midfielder Mathieu Flamini as manager Arsene Wenger is expected to rotate his squad.
Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina is expected to start for Arsenal. Striker Danny Welbeck (thigh) and reported Inter Milan target Lukas Podolski (groin) missed the Barclays Premier League defeat at Southampton on New Year’s Day and both are expected to miss out again along with Olivier Giroud, who serves the final game of his three-match suspension.
Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), Abou Diaby (calf) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are all out as they continue their rehabilitation.
Hull welcome back Tom Huddlestone from suspension as they look to repeat last season’s run in the competition, which saw them reach the final for the first time in their history. Huddlestone is back after four games out and Stephen Quinn also returns following a one-match ban, while Harry Maguire, Tom Ince and Yannick Sagbo will be pushing for rare starts.
There are gaps to fill elsewhere, with Andy Robertson (ankle), Liam Rosenior (hamstring), Gaston Ramirez (groin), Mohamed Diame (knee) and Michael Dawson (hamstring) all missing.
There are three all-Premier League ties over the course of the weekend, with bottom club Leicester hosting Newcastle yesterday before Burnley welcome Tottenham to Turf Moor tomorrow and West Ham go to Everton on Tuesday night.
