The Gunners will take on lower league side Coventry, in an attempt to progress into the next round of the FA Cup. Fox Sports 1 and Fox Soccer 2Go will provide live coverage, beginning at 14:45 ET.

Preview: Avoiding elimination against a lower-league side

When Premier League sides go up against lower-league clubs in any cup competition, they always face disappointment. For Arsenal, knowing that they crashed out of the FA Cup last year against Blackburn, they will want to avoid the same fate on Friday, when they host Coventry.

Playing in their own stadium, and knowing that they are heavy favorites, the Gunners have all the pressure on their shoulders. Fortunately for both these outfits, they will be somewhat familiar with each other heading into this match.

 

Last season Arsenal hosted Coventry in the League Cup, in a match where Arsenal won comfortably 6-1. That was also the first time Olivier Giroud had scored a goal for his new club, and since then, he's scored plenty more.

The French international will hope he can score a few more on Friday, if Arsene Wenger opts to give him the start.

Knowing that his squad is expected to win, Arsene Wenger will likely field a strong XI. If the French manager was to underestimate the visitors, he could find himself in complete frustration, as he did last season.

While Arsenal have enjoyed a great season thus far, Coventry have been impressive in their own way. 

Steven Pressley's side have only lost once in their last 11 matches. They also began the season with negative ten points, due to the club going into liquidation. Had it not been for those 10 points, Coventry could very well be in a playoff spot right now. 

But despite all of that, Coventry should not be able to compete with the Gunners, but in football, nothing is a guarantee.

Arsenal's back-line will have to pay close attention to Leon Clarke, who has scored 18 goals in 26 matches. Another key figure for the visitors will be John Fleck, a player that provides vision in Coventry's midfield. Pressley's side will be missing 21-year-old Callum Wilson due to a dislocated shoulder. 

The likely hood of Arsenal running away with another 6-1 victory is slim, given the rotation of players Wenger will present. But the current Premier League leaders should be able to make quick work of their opponents.

If Olivier Giroud does not get the start and Arsene opts to rest him, Lukas Podolski could start as the lone striker. This match will also give Lukas Fabianski and even Carl Jenkinson to showcase their talents in front of the Arsenal faithful.

With or without their starting XI, Arsenal have a great chance to get through to the next round. Whether or not they take it is completely different, but in all of Arsene Wenger's career at the club, he only went out to a lower-league side once, which was last year.

Where to watch this match - live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores

Watch Arsenal vs Coventry live on Friday, January 24, 2014:

In Canada at 14:45 ET on: Sportsnet World Online, Sportsnet World

In the UK at 19:45 GMT on: BT Sport 1, BBC Radio 5 Live

In the USA at 14:45 ET on: Fox Soccer 2Go, Fox Sports 1 USA, Fox Deportes

Please visit the Arsenal vs Coventry match page for full TV listings in your area.