DAVID Ospina will come in for only his second start in Arsenal colours as the Gunners begin their defence of the FA Cup tomorrow.
The Columbia international, who starred at the World Cup finals in Brazil, has been promised a rare chance in goal for the visit of Hull City.
Ospina's only other start came against Southampton in the Capital One Cup but the recent poor form of Wojciech Szczesny will see the summer arrival staking his claim.
Like Steve Bruce, Arsene Wenger has seen his ranks badly depleted over recent weeks.
Striker Olivier Giroud continues to serve a three-match ban for his straight red card on Boxing Day, while Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Serge Gnabry (knee) all remain sidelined.
Arsenal's midfield problems forced Wenger to play defender Calum Chambers in an advanced role in the defeat to Southampton but Mathieu Flamini could return.
Wenger will keep fingers crossed he can recall Danny Welbeck from his recent thigh injury and Theo Walcott, only a sub against the Saints, is another who can freshen things up.
Despite Arsenal's problems, it is in attack where they remain formidable. Wenger must decide if Alexis Sanchez, who gave City big problems when meeting in the league in October, is ready to start a fourth game in 10 days.
Possible Arsenal starting XI: Ospina; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Flamini, Coquelin; Walcott, Cazorla, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez.Subs: Martinez, Chambers, Akpom, Monreal, Bellerin, Campbell, Rosicky.Hull City team news
TOM Huddlestone and Stephen Quinn return from suspension to give Hull City a much-needed boost ahead of their fourth game in 10 days.
Huddlestone has not played since collecting a four-match ban in the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea last month, while Quinn was absent for the New Year's Day win over Everton following his red card against Leicester.
Both players are expected to come straight back into a City side that is struggling for numbers after a demanding run of fixtures.
Mohamed Diame (knee), Michael Dawson (hamstring) and Robert Snodgrass (knee) all remain out with their long-term injuries and are joined in the treatment room by Andy Robertson and Liam Rosenior.
Robertson suffered an ankle injury in the Everton win before Rosenior, who came on as the Scot's replacement, was forced off with a torn hamstring.
Both full-backs are set for spells on the sidelines, forcing Steve Bruce to field either Robbie Brady or Maynor Figueroa at left-back tomorrow.
Gaston Ramirez (groin) and Abel Hernandez (fatigue) are also expected to drop out of the starting XI, with Sone Aluko and Tom Ince hopeful of being handed an FA Cup chance at the Emirates.
Steve Harper and Harry Maguire will also be in Bruce's thoughts as he keeps one eye on next weekend's trip to fellow strugglers West Brom.
Possible Hull City starting XI: Harper, Chester, Maguire, Davies; Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Quinn, Brady; Aluko, Jelavic.Key men: David Ospina and Steve Harper
PROVIDED Steve Bruce chooses to rest Allan McGregor for the FA Cup final rerun at the Emirates Stadium, Steve Harper will become the third oldest player in Hull City's history tomorrow.
Overtaking Andy Hessenthaler and Dean Windass with his first appearance since early November, the 39-year-old would only be behind Billy Bly and Eddie Burbanks in the all-time list.
Harper played a big part in City's FA Cup run last season but has been troubled of late by the bicep injury suffered in the Premier League fixture between these two clubs in October.
Another understudy will be in goal for Arsenal, too. David Ospina, who started all five of Columbia's games at the World Cup, is keen to show his talents in the English game for the first time.
Arsenal form guideARSENAL'S excellent run of results came grinding to an abrupt halt when beaten 2-0 at Southampton on Thursday.
Before the St Mary's setback it had been 10 points from a possible 12 in the Premier League to push them right back into contention for the top four. It is defensively where Arsenal have struggled most. They haven't kept a clean sheet in seven games and have conceded just one less goal than Hull City this season. The usual faultlines are in their make-up.
On Thursday, two errors from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny were punished by the Saints as Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic scored either side of half-time.Alexis Sanchez came closest for the Gunners when denied by Fraser Forster but to compound the gloom Arsenal were also leapfrogged by near neighbours Tottenham.
Arsenal prospectsTHE Premier League title is already gone for Arsenal as they sit 13 points off the top in sixth so again it means the FA Cup will take on huge significance. Supporters crave silverware in North London and their success in last season's competition was an end to nine barren years.
Qualification for the Champions League does not satisfy the romantics and progress past Hull City tomorrow will be seen as essential to keep the campaign breathing. Defeat is unthinkable.
BettingHULL City's current odds of lifting the FA Cup (100/1 at BetVictor.com) could shorten significantly should they beat Arsenal in tomorrow's third round tie at the Emirates.
The Gunners are 1/3 (Betway) to progress to the fourth round at the first time of asking, whereas the visitors are quoted at 9/1 (Winner.com) to cause what bookies feel is an unlikely Cup upset.
According to Paddy Power, the Tigers are 20/1 to win without conceding, while Ladbrokes chalk 10/1 against Nikica Jelavic scoring the game's final goal.
The draw (9/2, William Hill) has found favour amongst those not expecting to see full-strength line-ups, a view which adds appeal to bet365's 11/1 posted against it finishing one apiece. However, though Stan James's 25/1 for the Tigers to register a 1-0 victory might not be the correct score market's most backed outcome, this is the FA Cup...
It may have lost some of its sheen, but the Cup has undoubtedly retained a sizeable quota of magic.
From a punters' perspective, however, the Cup has become rewardingly predictable: four teams have won 19 of the 23 finals contested since 1992. Backing Chelsea (11/2, bet365) or Arsenal (9/1, Stan James) over this period would have provided punters with a better-than-evens chance of success. Add Manchester United (13/2, BetVictor.com) and Liverpool (10/1, Skybet) into the mix and almost all bases are covered.
Odds supplied by Betrescue.com
