Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Olivier Giroud leads the line for Arsenal this afternoon in their FA Cup sixth-round fixture against Watford at the Emirates Stadium.
The French striker scored twice in the 4-0 FA Cup fifth-round replay win over Hull City on Tuesday night.
Theo Walcott, who also scored twice in that game, and Danny Welbeck are on the Arsenal bench.
Arsene Wenger may have a full quota of fit centre-backs to chose from against Watford on Sunday afternoon - but the Arsenal boss still fears the threat of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo.
The Hornets make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium for their FA Cup sixth-round tie - with a place at a Wembley semi-final the prize for the victor.
Arsenal, in search of their third FA Cup success in as many years, came through a replay at Hull in midweek to set up a clash with Barclays Premier League rivals Watford.
Wenger lost both of his centre-backs on Tuesday as Gabriel and Per Mertesacker were forced off with injuries.
But he is hopeful both will be available for Sunday, while fellow defender Laurent Koscielny could also be fit for a recall having recovered from a calf injury.
Even though Wenger could have the trio at his disposal, with a Champions League tie in Barcelona and a tough Premier League trip to Everton to come inside a week, he may have to look carefully at who is given the nod against Quique Sanchez Flores' side.
And the Frenchman is wary of the threat that Watford's two strikers can possess - with the visitors looking to spring a surprise by knocking out the record 12-time winners of the trophy on Sunday.
"They have done extremely well," Wenger said of Watford's first season back in the top-flight.
"It looks like the Championship teams that come up now deal very well with the Premier League regime.
"You have Watford who are doing extremely well. They are very prepared and very efficient. They have two strikers who are very efficient with Ighalo and Deeney and we worked very hard to control the game (last time we played them).
"They give us a tough time. When we played against Watford in the Premier League, Deeney had not scored I think for a long time. After us he started to score but during the game I was impressed by him. He's a good player.
"They have a very good understanding between the strikers and the quality between our two centre backs will be vital on Sunday."
Teams
Arsenal: Ospina, Chambers, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs, Elneny, Coquelin, Campbell, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud. Subs: Walcott, Monreal, Flamini, Welbeck, Bellerin, Iwobi, Macey.
Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Ake, Capoue, Watson, Behrami, Guedioura, Ighalo, Deeney. Subs: Mario Suarez, Jurado, Oulare, Amrabat, Pantilimon, Anya, Abdi.
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments