Arsenal play Blackpool at the Emirates tonight in the Carabao Cup, so what's happened in previous meetings, why are Blackpool fans shunning the game and how might the Gunners line up?





Abou Diaby scored for Arsenal the last time they faced Blackpool





Last meeting: 10/04/11





Arsenal won 3-1 at Bloomfield Road the last time they played The Tangerines.





Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Eboué and Robin van Persie were the scorers that day, with the win solidifying Arsenal's 2nd placed spot in the Premier League. They were 7 points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, but had a game in hand.





Out of the starting 11 and substitutes that beat Blackpool in 2011, only Ramsey and Koscielny are still playing for the club. Other notable Gunners were Jens Lehmann, who was back at Arsenal due to a huge goalkeeper injury crisis, Cesc Fabregas, whose long transfer saga with Barcelona eventually concluded that summer, and Samir Nasri who also left the club in the months that followed.

Memorable events of the 2010/11 season were that Carling Cup defeat against Birmingham, just ONE win in March and April (against Blackpool) and an obligatory fourth place finish. On the 27th of February Arsenal were within one point of Man United at the top of the Prem and had a chance of ending a 6 year trophy drought, but it all came crashing down...





Small Blackpool turnout expected?





Since 2015, Blackpool fans have shunned home games in protest of how owner Karl Oyston runs the club.





Up until now they had still been travelling to away games, but because 45% of gate receipts at the Emirates will go to their club a lot of fans have decided they will not make the journey to London.





Around 1000 fans are expected to be at the game tonight.





Our Lineup:













I expect Petr Cech to start in goal again after recovering from his injury. Leno will probably get a break ahead of Saturday night's big test against Liverpool.





Bellerin got injured in the draw at Palace on Sunday, so Lichtsteiner will start at right back. Sokratis will probably return from injury too with Holding or Mustafi next to him. There is a chance however that young Medley could start at centre half, he was on the bench against Leicester last week and Emery might want to rotate his side ready for Saturday. At left back, Monreal and Kolasinac will not be ready for tonight, but might be on Saturday, so we could see Xhaka down the left again.





In midfield Guendouzi is likely to start alongside Torreira, although I wouldn't be surprised to see Ramsey start as in recent weeks he's been dropped to the bench/second team.





Our attack will almost definitely include Welbeck and Emile Smith-Rowe. Nketiah could start but will probably come off the bench in the second half. Mkhitaryan is similar to Ramsey in that he didn't start against Palace, so he will start tonight. Our final attacker will be Iwobi, but Ramsey could end up on the right instead if Torreira plays in midfield.





It's a fairly strong team because Emery has spoken highly of the Carabao Cup, saying he thinks it's "very important" and that he respects Blackpool. COYG!























