It was only just over a decade ago that Coventry City were regularly doing battle with Arsenal in the Premier League, though some well-documented off-field problems have seen the Sky Blues plummet into the third tier. They return to the Emirates in a cup competition for the second time in as many years on Friday, though will hope this FA Cup fourth round match goes rather better than their 6-1 hammering in the League Cup back in 2012.
Arsenal vs. Coventry City: Preview and TV schedule
Arsenal will expect to kick off the FA Cup weekend with a routine victory over Coventry on Friday.
Clive Rose
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However, with Arsenal on excellent form so far this season, their chances look slim at best. Arsène Wenger will almost definitely take the opportunity to rotate his squad, though the Premier League leaders have more than enough depth to see off a side currently hovering down in 11th place in League One -- even if Coventry are still unbeaten so far this year.
Arsenal still have a string of injury problems including Aaron Ramsey, Thomas Vermaelen and Mikel Arteta, while this game could come just too soon for striker Nicklas Bendtner. Steven Pressley's Coventry are faring rather better on the injury front, with only striker Callum Wilson set to be sidelined.
Arsenal injuries and suspensions
Out: Abou Diaby (knee), Yaya Sanogo (back), Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (knee), Mikel Arteta (calf), Theo Walcott (knee). In doubt: Nicklas Bendtner (ankle).
Coventry City injuries and suspensions
Out: Callum Wilson (shoulder). In doubt: None.
Projected lineups
Arsenal: Łukasz Fabiański; Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Carl Jenkinson; Tomáš Rosický, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Flamini; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski, Serge Gnabry.
Coventry City: Joe Murphy; Danny Seabourne, Andrew Webster, Cyrus Christie, Blair Adams; Jordan Clarke, Conor Thomas, John Fleck, Carl Baker; Leon Clarke, Franck Moussa.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
TV: Fox Sports 1 USA (U.S. - English), Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet World (Canada), BT Sport 1 (U.K.)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), BT Sport 1 (U.K.)
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