[Teams] Arsenal vs Blackburn: Vermaelen Starts, Wilshere On The Bench

Arsenal welcome Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers to the Emirates this afternoon for their FA Cup fifth round tie.

We came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Brighton in the previous round and victory today would see us through to the last 8 and in with a real shout of ending our well-documented trophy drought.

Boss Arsene Wenger has taken a huge gamble by starting captain Thomas Vermaelen for the game today. The skipper has proven his fitness after missing the last three games with an ankle injury and starts despite Bayern Munich being just around the corner.

Francis Coquelin comes in at right back while Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby and Gervinho all return to the starting eleven. Here are the confirmed line-ups for the game:

Arsenal Team

Szczesny, Coquelin, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Monreal, Diaby, Rosicky, Arteta, Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud

Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski

Blackburn Team

Kean, Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, Pedersen, Williamson, Lowe, Markus Olsson, Kazim-Richards, Rhodes.

Subs: Usai, Givet, Fabio Nunes, Rekik, Nuno Gomes, Goodwillie, Bentley

Now we’ve seen the teams, what’s your score prediction for the game? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below.