Arsenal vs Sunderland team news: Alex Iwobi handed first-team chance, Petr Cech starts in goal

Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi (Getty Images)

Alex Iwobi has been handed a chance to impress by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who starts against Sunderland in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at the Emirates Stadium.

Mesut Ozil is rested but there are also starts for Joel Campbell, Kieran Gibbs and Gabriel, who did not play from the off in last week’s win over Newcastle United.

Petr Cech is in goal as back-up goalkeeper David Ospina, who usually features in cup ties, has a slight groin problem.

Chile international Alexis Sanchez was hoping to return from a hamstring injury to feature but, as Wenger confirmed at a pre-match press conference on Friday, the forward’s comeback has been delayed.

Jordan Pickford makes his first-team debut in goal for Sunderland after returning from a loan at Preston North End.

Ola Toivonen, Danny Graham and DeAndre Yedlin come into the team from that which beat Aston Villa 3-1 last weekend.

Line-ups

Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs; Chambers, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Iwobi, Campbell, Walcott; Giroud

Substitutes: Macey, Debuchy, Monreal, Arteta, Ramsey, Reine-Adelaide, Willock

Sunderland: Pickford; Yedlin, O'Shea, Coates, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, Toivonen, Watmore, Lens; Fletcher, Graham

Substitutes:Mannone, Jones, Borini, Defoe, M'Vila, Mavrias, Beadling