FA Cup: Coquelin returns to boost Arsenal

Burnley likely to be in defiant mood as they look to upset defending champions

LONDON: Francis Coquelin’s return to the Arsenal squad for the FA Cup fourth-round tie with Burnley will hand Arsene Wenger’s side a major lift following Sunday’s league defeat by Chelsea.

Burnley visit the Emirates six days after Diego Costa’s match-winning goal prevented the Gunners returning to the top of the Premier League.

Coquelin’s return two months after suffering knee ligament damage at West Bromwich Albion will help Arsenal recover from their latest stumble.



Coquelin is expected to start on the bench and could be joined by Tomas Rosicky who made a 45-minute appearance for the club’s Under-21 side last week.

With Alexis Sanchez having returned following a hamstring problem as a second-half substitute against Chelsea and Danny Welbeck returning to full training, Arsenal’s injury list is finally shrinking.

Per Mertesacker believes the way the side has coped with a succession of injuries reflects the growing strength of Wenger’s squad.



The centre-back told Arsenal.com: “Players have stepped up, brought their energy and we’ve got the results as well. We won¹t look back on players being injured as a negative because other players have stepped up, especially this season.”

Burnley are chasing an instant return to the Premier League but manager Sean Dyche insists he would still love to achieve another cup shock.

“Any manager at any level will say the league is their priority but that does not put the FA Cup down,” said Dyche.

“Our main objective is to try and push hard to get into the Premier League. But I love the FA Cup and have a great history with it.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2016.

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