How many changes did each Prem team make in FA Cup? Arsenal show strength, fewest from Fletcher | OneFootball

Premier League clubs made between three and 10 changes in the FA Cup, with some fringe players impressing and others needing to ‘look in the mirror’.

Four top-flight sides have fallen at the first possible hurdle so far, and while there is no direct correlation between the amount of changes and the generation of cup knockout magic, some on the outside looking in on the first team gave their managers “evidence” why they aren’t picked.

Arsenal – 10 changes (through against Portsmouth)

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Christian Norgaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Ebereci Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus in.

“I expect the same from each player at the end when they have the opportunity to play, to excel those expectations. The levels and the standards are really, really high and that’s what we need from every player.”

If you needed further evidence that Arsenal have the best squad in the Premier League, this is surely it. Only Gabriel kept his place after the 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Thursday.

Chelsea – eight changes (through against Charlton)

Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Jorrel Hato, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Gittens and Marc Guiu in.

“I don’t want to take any risks at this stage of the season,” explained Liam Rosenior after selecting his first XI in charge of Chelsea. “Malo [Gusto], Cole [Palmer] and Reece [James] were precautionary today. They had minor tweaks or knocks from the Fulham game.

“I feel like I’ve got such a good squad here. I don’t need to risk their health at the moment. We have a huge game on Wednesday. We have a huge game on Saturday.”

Leeds United – eight changes (through against Derby)

Karl Darlow, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jack Harrison, Ao Tanaka, Noah Okafor, Lukas Nmecha, Joel Piroe, Willy Gnonto in.

“They had no midweek game. We had a horrendous run of fixtures and had to put so much effort in,” explained Daniel Farke after a come-from-behind 3-1 win.

“We had to rotate today, of course, a bit more than we normally would like to do, and they were on it. And then to show such a performance, I would say from minute 20 on, we needed 20 minutes to come into this game to get used and to accept also a bit their intensity and aggressiveness. But once we’ve done this, I think we showed an excellent performance.”

Brentford – eight changes (through against Sheffield Wednesday)

Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Sepp van den Berg, Jordan Henderson, Romelle Donovan, Mikkel Damsgaard, Reiss Nelson in

“We are taking it very seriously, like we did with the League Cup. You always try and manage the group in the way we think is right.

“Last season we saw what was capable with Crystal Palace winning the cup. We will attack every game, looking to win it,” said Keith Andrews.

Burnley – eight changes (through against Millwall)

Max Weiss, Quilindschy Hartman, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Jaidon Anthony, Loum Tchaouna, Hjalmar Ekdal, Oliver Sonne and Ashley Barnes in

“We’re in the Premier League where it’s a different level, but in saying that this is tough opposition we played, a team who have got some really good results in the Championship and are fighting for the play-offs.

“So I’m pleased with the changes we made, we still looked strong and I’m hoping that after two good results, at Man United and a positive and dominant performance today, that can breathe some confidence into the team,” said Scott Parker.

Nottingham Forest – eight changes (eliminated by Wrexham)

Nicola Savona, Jair Cunha, Morato, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz, James McAtee, Dan Ddoye and Dilane Bakwa in

“You can’t do that in the first half, it’s completely unacceptable. It’s unacceptable to me, but I said you have to look in the mirror because that’s unacceptable to the badge as well.

“They all knock on the door and say, ‘why aren’t I playing?’. Well the evidence is quite honestly there for some, not for all,” said Sean Dyche after a classic FA Cup tie.

Fulham – seven changes (through against Middlesbrough)

Bernd Leno, Ryan Sessegnon, Harrison Reed, Sasa Lukic, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Adama Traore and Kevin in

“Even if the FA Cup is always special, and you play at home, it is always tricky to go from Liverpool and Chelsea to play a Championship side, albeit a very good side. And we did not want to underestimate them or think that our place in the next round was guaranteed.

“We had to be at our best level and we were in the second half,” said Marco Silva.

Newcastle – seven changes (through against Bournemouth)

Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock and Yoane Wissa in

“The result just keeps the good feeling going. We want to keep the momentum going into the season. We experienced two semi-finals last season that were incredible.

“I think it’s a great time to be involved with Newcastle. We have the Champions League to come. The will to win has taken us into the latter stages of the League Cup. We have every reason to be enthusiastic about the future,” said Eddie Howe.

Crystal Palace – six changes (eliminated by Macclesfield)

Joel Drakes-Thomas, Kaden Rodney, Chris Richards, Borna Sosa, Walter Benitez and Christantus Uche in

“I have no words for this performance. It’s not just losing, it’s creating almost no chances. It was really hard to watch, there was no physical presence, no kind of quality in our attack. This is what makes it so disappointing.

“I have no explanation for what I have seen today and we can find excuses but you don’t need tactics and a manager for these games,” said a furious and apparently redundant Oliver Glasner.

Brighton – six changes (against Manchester United)

Jason Steele, Diego Coppola, Olivier Boscagli, Joel Veltman, Brajan Gruda and Danny Welbeck in.

Fabian Hurzeler warned us on Friday: “There will definitely be opportunities for others, but we will take this competition very seriously and see it as a big opportunity and that’s why we only give players a chance who really deserve it. There will definitely be changes regarding the starting 11.”

West Ham – six changes (against QPR)

Mads Hermansen, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ezra Mayers, Max Kilman, Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa in.

Nuno also changed his shape to a back five until Konstantinos Mavropanos had to be replaced late in the first half.

Aston Villa – six changes (through against Tottenham Hotspur)

Marco Bizot, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde, Emiliano Buendia and Donyell Malen in

Emery explained his half-dozen changes: “Yes, we need players. We’re in the Premier League, the Europa League, and this competition we are respecting a lot. Because last year we played the semi-final. There are thousands of supporters here with us giving us responsibility. The FA Cup is a way for a trophy, a way for Europe as well. Secondly, how we are managing the squad, different players, different moments, some players injured, some players coming back from injury like Pau Torres, and we need players for the next matches, the next competition, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup.”

Bournemouth – six changes (eliminated by Newcastle)

Julio Soler, Bafode Diakite, Adam Smith, Amine Adli, David Brooks and Enes Unal in

“I think it’s the last game of this crazy schedule… I think some will need a rest. But it’s true that right now also we don’t have a lot of options. So with the 14, 15 players we have available, it’s a matter of what ten start and what four or five finish the game and try to make a balance there.”

Manchester City – six changes (through against Exeter)

James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Rodri, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo and Ryan McAidoo in

Pep Guardiola spoke on Friday of the need to balance his changes: “A few, but not much. We have to come back to winning games. The FA Cup is the FA Cup. I have to see who they [City’s youngsters] are. I don’t want to ask what they have to do; I want to see who they are. It’s not about just the skills; it’s about many things. Let me see. When I’m there and watching I will see. When I’m not good I have assistant coaches who do it, 6, 8 eyes who can see them.”

Spurs – five changes (eliminated by Villa)

Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison in

Thomas Frank knew he was not in a position to make wholesale changes: “I said before the game that we are going full strength. There was nothing more we could do. There were players we couldn’t… should we energise? Micky van de Ven is in a top place. That was definitely a player to think about (replacing), but we wanted to do everything we could to win the game. We did everything we could.”

Sunderland – five changes (through against Everton)

Luke O’Nien, Noah Sadiki, Romaine Mundle, Dennis Cirkin and Elizer Mayenda in

“We were ready to fight. We want to be strong every day. We didn’t want to take unnecessary risks with three, four, five players, that was obvious, but the depth of the squad is good.

“We played this game at 100 per cent intensity,” said Regis Le Bris.

Wolves – five changes (through against Shrewsbury)

Sam Johnstone, Matt Doherty, David Moller Wolfe, Andre and Jorgen Strand Larsen in

“I’d be stupid in the position I’m in at the moment to make wholesale changes when we’re just starting to build some momentum and see the team click a little bit.

“I really wanted to win the game. We had to try and keep some form of momentum, we are progressing and slowly improving,” said Rob Edwards.

Everton – four changes (eliminated by Sunderland)

Nathan Patterson, Merlin Rohl, Beto and Tyler Dibling in

“I don’t think you blame anybody when you lose a penalty shoot-out. It’s something that can happen, the goalkeeper is there to make saves.

“But I think there is a way to lose if you’re going to do that. It felt as if we didn’t do it in that way and that’s why we have all walked away with huge disappointment,” said David Moyes.

Man Utd – three changes (against Brighton)

Leny Yoro, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo in.

“The players have had a busy schedule. Lots of players have played loads of minutes in a skeleton squad with injuries and players at AFCON. I felt it was important for those players, especially Luke Shaw and Casemiro, so I’m just trying to freshen them up and keep them right. I don’t want to risk any more injuries but also give opportunities to other players.”