Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be without midfielder Aaron Ramsey for the FA Cup fifth-round clash with Middlesbrough on Sunday afternoon.

Ramsey lasted just nine minutes after coming on as a substitute against Leicester City on Tuesday night, and the hamstring problem that he picked up is likely to sideline him for the remainder of February.

Attacker Alexis Sanchez is also a likely absentee after suffering a knee injury in midweek, but Wenger is hopeful that the Chilean international will be fit enough to return next weekend.

However, Wenger will make several alterations for the visit of the Championship outfit, with Wojciech Szczesny earning a start in goal, Danny Welbeck likely to be recalled in attack, and defender Gabriel Paulista expected to be ready to make his debut for the club.

The Gunners have won seven of their last eight fixtures in all competitions, but after poor performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester, the Frenchman will demand an improvement from his side at the weekend.

Arsenal are currently on an eight-match winning streak in this competition after lifting the trophy last season.

Despite their underdog status, Middlesbrough will hold no fear ahead of the long trip down to the Emirates Stadium to face the Premier League giants.

Boro have recorded six successive victories in all competitions to stretch their unbeaten record to 10 games, a run which included a 2-0 win away at Manchester City in the previous round.

However, coach Aitor Karanka has a number of problems in defence, with Daniel Ayala, Tomas Kalas and Jonathan Woodgate - who all started the win over Blackpool in midweek - expected to miss the tie.

Ayala and Chelsea loanee Kalas have both been ruled out, while Woodgate made his first start of the season on Tuesday night and it may be considered a risk for him to feature in two games in five days.

Striker Patrick Bamford, also on loan from Chelsea, could start after not featuring in midweek.

Arsenal:

Form in FA Cup: WWWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs; Coquelin, Flamini; Walcott, Cazorla, Rosicky; Welbeck

Middlesbrough:

Form in FA Cup: WWLLWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Konstantopoulos, Whitehead, Omeruo, Woodgate, Gibson, Clayton, Forshaw, Adomah, Vossen, Reach, Bamford

Sports Mole says: 3-1