Fresh from their Carling Cup disappointment, Arsenal return to knockout action against Leyton Orient.
Gunners seek to avoid further cup misery against third tier hopefuls
Fresh from their Carling Cup disappointment, Arsenal return to knockout action against Leyton Orient.
The Gunners tasted Wembley heartache against Birmingham on Sunday but can take a step closer to another day out at the national stadium in the FA Cup on Wednesday.
They were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Orient in their initial fifth round clash, but have the opportunity to make amends in a midweek replay.
Russell Slade's League One outfit will make the short journey to Emirates Stadium in buoyant mood, though, safe in the knowledge that they have nothing to lose.
The third tier hopefuls have already disposed on Championship high-fliers Norwich and Swansea and will have their sights set on another impressive scalp.
The prospect of a trip to Old Trafford will offer added motivation to both sides, with Manchester United awaiting the victors in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is out for three weeks with a knee injury picked up in the Carling Cup final so will miss out on Wednesday.
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Theo Walcott (ankle), Laurent Koscielny (hamstring) and Alex Song (knee) have also been ruled out.
Manuel Almunia will start in goal with Wojciech Szczesny on the bench.
Abou Diaby is expected to start in midfield, while Kieran Gibbs is likely to be given another run-out at left-back.
Orient team news
Orient's hero at Brisbane Road, Jonathan Tehoue, has recovered from a migraine and will be fit for duty.
Captain Stephen Dawson has an outside chance of playing after it emerged that the knee injury he suffered against Huddersfield on Saturday is not as bad as first feared, but Harry Kane is suspended after being sent off in the same match.
Ryan Jarvis and Moses Odubajo are cup-tied while there are doubts over Matthew Spring (calf) and Jimmy Smith (hamstring).
One bit of good news for Slade's side is that Jason Crowe is available again after suffering no ill-effects on his ankle injury in training.
