Team News: Gabriel Paulista handed Arsenal debut in Middlesbrough FA cup tie

Gabriel Paulista will make his debut for Arsenal in this afternoon's FA Cup fifth-round meeting against Middlesbrough.

The £15m capture from Villarreal starts in the heart of defence for the Gunners, while Wojciech Szczesny returns in goals.

Elsewhere, manager Arsene Wenger has recalled Calum Chambers to replace Hector Bellerin at right-back, and Francis Coquelin drops out with Mathieu Flamini taking his place in midfield.

There is some further good news for Arsenal, meanwhile, as Alexis Sanchez has been deemed fit enough to start from the off at the Emirates Stadium, despite nursing a knock over the past few days.

Former Real Madrid keeper Tomas Mejias has been brought in for Boro having kept successive clean sheets in this competition, while Patrick Bamford will be looking to push on from his goalscoring performance against Manchester City in the last round.

The Championship side can also call upon Lee Tomlin for this one, as they aim to take their impressive league form into cup competition and pull off another memorable upset in the capital.

Arsenal XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Flamini, Cazorla, Welbeck, Ozil, Alexis, Giroud Subs: Martinez, Mertesacker, Monreal, Rosicky, Walcott, Coquelin, Akpom

Middlesbrough XI: Mejias, Fredericks, Omeruo, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Adomah, Tomlin, Kike, Bamford Subs: Ripley, Nsue, Husband, Vossen, Reach, Whitehead, Woodgate

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