FA Cup 3rd replaysTuesday:Birmingham vs LeedsBlackpool vs FulhamBournemouth vs WiganBrentford vs SouthendLeyton Orient vs HullMK Dons vs Sheffield WedStoke vs Crystal PalaceSunderland vs BoltonWest Brom vs QPRWednesdayArsenal vs SwanseaMan United vs West HamLONDON: Arsenal’s already tricky third round FA Cup replay at home to Swansea on Wednesday has been made tougher still given they are set to be without both Mikel Arteta and Laurent Koscielny.Midfield playmaker Arteta missed Sunday’s 2-0 home Premier League defeat against champions Manchester City with a calf strain suffered in training earlier in the week and manager Arsene Wenger does not expect to have the 30-year-old Spaniard back for three weeks at least.“It is a blow because in midfield he gives us experience, stability and tactical knowledge,” said Wenger. “We will miss that.”Arsenal have not won a major trophy since they last lifted the FA Cup in 2005 and their task was not made any easier when Koscielny was sent off just 10 minutes into Sunday’s match for a foul on Edin Dzeko.Now the banned central defender’s place is set to be taken by German international Per Mertesacker.The Gunners are having to replay against a Swansea side held to a goalless draw by Everton on Sunday after a thrilling encounter at the Liberty Stadium ended all square at 2-2.The winners of Wednesday’s match will be away to second-tier Brighton, FA Cup finalists back in 1983, in the fourth round.
