FA Cup Preview: Arsenal vs Coventry City

After convincingly beating Fulham at the Emirates last weekend, the Gunners host Coventry City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Coventry City went into administration in March 2013 following a row with Arena Coventry Limited over rent dispute. As a result, the Sky Blues started the 2013/14 season with a 10-point penalty and are currently placed 11th in the League One table having played 26 games & gaining 34 points. On the other hand, the Gunners are sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier league table, 54 places above of the Coventry City!

Olivier Giroud of Arsenal scores their first goal past Joe Murphy of Coventry City during the Capital One Cup third round match between Arsenal and Coventry City at Emirates Stadium on September 26, 2012 in London, England..

When these two sides last played each other, Arsenal emerged victorious with a thumping 6-1 win over the Sky Blues. Olivier Giroud scored his first competitive goal for Arsenal against Coventry with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Ignasi Miquel scored the rest. Theo Walcott was also on the scoresheet with a brace while Callum Ball scored the only goal for the visitors.

Last 5 Meetings

Arsenal 6-1 Coventry, Capital One Cup, 26 September 2012
Coventry 0-1 Arsenal, Premiership, 03 February 2001
Arsenal 2-1 Coventry, Premiership, 16 September 2000
Arsenal 3-0 Coventry, Premiership, 26 March 2000
Coventry 3-2 Arsenal, Premiership, 26 December 1999

Arsenal last won a silverware was back in 2005 that too FA Cup. Since then, the Gunners have failed to win any major trophy. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has won the FA Cup four times in his career, no other manager has won more than the frenchman. In total, the Gunners have won 10 FA Cups and would be hoping to add another one to their trophy cabinet. Coventry City’s only FA Cup triumph was against Arsenal’s arch rivals, Tottenham Hotspur in 1987. Dave Bennett, Kieth Houchen scored for the Sky Blues and thanks to an own goal from Gary Mabbutt in the extra time helped Coventry to win 3-2 at the Wembley.

Team News

Arsenal: Nicklas Bendtner is back in the squad while Tomas Rosicky misses out due to nose injury. Midfielders Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey will join the training from Monday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to start the game from the bench.

Coventry City: Leon Clarke, League One’s top goal scorere belongs to Coventry City. The forward has handed in transfer request and Wolverhampton Wanderers is one of the favored destinations. The frontman should be available, provided he do not switch the club before. There are no other injury concerns for Steven Pressley’s side.

OPTA Stats:

Arsenal have won their last four meetings with Coventry in all competitions, scoring 12 and conceding two
Arsenal have progressed through 11 of their last 13 FA Cup fourth-round ties, with both defeats coming against fellow Premier League sides
In-form Sky Blues striker Leon Clarke has netted three times in three FA Cup appearances this term
Coventry City have lost just one of their last 11 competitive matches (W5 D5 L1)
Coventry and Arsenal have played each other 75 times in 47 years.
The first time these clubs played each other was at Highbury in the League which ended in a 1-1 draw in 1967. In the league, Arsenal have won 42 times to Coventry’s fourteen.

Match Details

Arsenal vs Coventry City
FA Cup, Fourth Round
Friday, 24th January 19.45 (GMT)
Emirates Stadium.

Match Appointments

Referee: Robert Madley
Assistant Referees: Michael Mullarkey & Scott Ledger
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward