TEAM NEWS: Gervinho starts for Arsenal as Walcott drops to bench for Blackburn FA Cup clash

TEAM NEWS: Gervinho starts as Wenger benches Cazorla, Podolski & Walcott ahead of Bayern test

Feb 16, 2013 5:10:00 PM

Olivier Giroud is the focal point of Arsenal's attack against Blackburn with support from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while David Bentley makes the bench against his former club

Arsene Wenger has named a strong starting line-up for Arsenal's FA Cup clash with Blackburn, with Olivier Giroud starting up front, while Gervinho makes his first appearance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Wojciech Szczesny starts in goal, while Francis Coquelin makes an appearance at right-back in an otherwise first-choice defence of Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal.

In midfield, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta form an impressive trio, whilst Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain support Giroud in attack.

A strong bench is also named, with Bacary Sagna, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski all present ahead of the Gunners' Champions League meeting with Bayern on Tuesday.

Blackburn, meanwhile, select both Olsson twins on the left flank, while Colin Kazim-Richards and Jordan Rhodes have been named in attack.

Elsewhere, Morten Gamst-Pedersen starts on the right, as former Arsenal midfielder David Bentley is on the bench after joining Rovers on loan from Tottenham for the rest of the season.

Arsenal starting XI: Szczesny; Coquelin, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Monreal; Diaby, Rosicky, Arteta; Gervinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud.
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski.

Blackburn starting XI: Kean; Orr, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson; Pedersen, Williamson, Lowe, Markus Olsson; Kazim-Richards, Rhodes.
Subs: Usai, Givet, Fabio Nunes, Rekik, Nuno Gomes, Goodwillie, Bentley.

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