The starting XI
Well you’ll know that we have our final fourth-round clash taking place this evening. Arsenal travel to Bournemouth, who tend to struggle in this competition.
Arsenal XI: Martinez, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Saka, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Pepe, Willock, Martinelli, Nketiah.
Subs: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Torreira, Ceballos, Ozil, Lacazette.
Jamie Carragher backs Jurgen
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has backed Jurgen Klopp’s stance to respect the Premier League winter break even if it means his first-team stars miss the FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury.
However, Carragher believes Klopp should be present for the match – the Reds boss has already announced under-23 coach Neil Critchley will be in charge – as it will not only be a boost for the youngsters but will avoid more unwanted headlines.
After blowing a 2-0 lead to draw with Shrewsbury on Sunday Klopp went public with his decision to leave out first-teamers for the return at Anfield as it clashed with their pre-arranged break.
“Senior players having a winter break is right, you can’t implement one and then have a replay in the break. That’s the same for all PL clubs,” Carragher wrote on Twitter.
“But Klopp should take the team, his young players will be delighted and the picture of him in Ibiza with a (beer emjoi) will be on every front page!”
Cliches
So I’m obviously contractually obliged to deliver the FA Cup cliches before tonight’s fifth-round draw.
The first is to inform you of tonight’s ball numbers – why I have absolutely no idea. Presumably so you know the draw a split-second before the presenter. All of those can be found at the bottom of this page.
The second is the lowest ranked side, which is another fascination reporters love to discuss.
Portsmouth, who are eighth in League One, are the lowest ranked of the teams. However, League Two side Northampton are still in the draw after earning a replay against Derby.
What’s the plan?
I’m glad you asked.
The fifth-round draw will take place this evening (obviously) and will take place at exactly 7.19pm on BBC One’s The One Show.
Now that is obviously a crafty way of subjecting every sane-minded person to watch the programme.
But I’ll be tuning in at the precise minute to avoid Matt Baker and Alex Jones (not THAT one) discussing the ways Feng shui will transform your life…
Evening…
Hello folks, how’s everyone doing this evening?
It’s a wet, windy and cold Monday in a never-ending January but I’m sure tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round draw will boost your spirits.
That is unless you support 700-odd sides who have been eliminated from the competition – if your one of those then I don’t know what to suggest.
University Challenge on at 8.30?
Anyway, we’re just starting our coverage here at Express HQ with around 50 minutes until the big reveal. Stay tuned…
FA Cup draw ball numbers
1 Manchester United, 2 Chelsea, 3 Southampton or Tottenham Hotspur, 4 Sheffield Wednesday
5 AFC Bournemouth of Arsenal, 6 Northampton Town or Derby County, 7 Leicester City, 8 Sheffield United
9 Reading or Cardiff City, 10 West Bromwich Albion, 11 Norwich City, 12 Coventry City or Birmingham City
13 Manchester City, 14 Newcastle United or Oxford United, 15 Portsmouth, 16 Shrewsbury Town or Liverpool