Arsenal travel to Cardiff on Saturday in what will be a tricky game for the Gunners. Many would expect Arsenal to beat Cardiff easily but there is no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League anymore. Cardiff have managed to beat Swansea and Manchester City at home, drawn with Manchester United and Everton and lost to Spurs and Newcastle; showing that it will not be an easy trip for Wenger’s men.
On the injury front, Kieran Gibbs is fit again having missed out in the Champions League in midweek but Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain are still not fit.
Looking ahead and who I think should start this game, Szczesny will certainly start in goal and the backline picks itself with Gibbs coming in for Monreal on the left and Sagna on the right with Mertesacker partnering Koscielny.
The midfield selections become very interesting. Please do not shoot me down for this but I feel that Ozil should be dropped i.e. given a rest for this game. The German maestro is still one of our best players but of late he has been off the boil and maybe be just needs a break and time to recharge his batteries. Arsenal are gifted with many great midfielders right now and it is only right to rotate them and keep them all happy.
Since we are away from home, I would opt to see Flamini and Arteta anchor the central midfield with Wilsher, Carzola and Ramsey ahead of them.
The lack of options upfront means that Olivier Giroud will start. Theo Walcott is not fit again but I am not sure that Wenger will thrust him into the starting lineup as yet.
Who would you like to see start against Cardiff?
Bad analysis ozil bk to his best. Flamini and arteta patnership doesnt work i thnk manuntd game proved that. Walcot against marseil he was really good. Enough of my sentiments
Agree. I think arteta and flamini in that defensive role just doesnt work againts man utd we just sat back and took it, I think we should go with flamini infront of the back four and put rambo just infront of him. Also monreal done very well at LB so would be nice to see him given another chance.
I agree, arteta + flamini just don’t work. Defo Ramsey + flamini are our best mid combo.
I’d like to see us line up like this.
WS
Sanga–mert–kos–monreal
Rambo–flam
Walcott-wilshire
WS
Sanga–mert–kos–monreal
Rambo–flam
Walcott–wilshere–carzola
Giroud
In the midfield i prefer flamini_rambo…wings…carzola left_wilshere_walcott…Giroud front man.My back will be the usual sagna_per_kos_Gibbs then scez..i want wenger to rest ozil,maybe come in as a sub,he needs to inspire himself,no doubt he is a huge talent.
Keeper nd the back line piks themselves… But i think Monreal should still be given a chance while Gibbs rest. Flamini nd Rambo in the midfield…. Wilshere should operate from the right wing, Cazorla thru the middle, Walcot from the left wing nd Giroud up front…. WS
Sa
Sangna.
Lookin @ d number of games Ozil has played,i agree he needs som rest.but it’ll look lik d fans asked 4 it + not d coache’s decision.
. WS
Sagna. Mert Kos Monreal
Flamini
Rambo
Wilshere Cazorla Walcot.
Giroud
I agree,ozil need to be rest
I believe that Nacho boy ‘Monreal’ needs more game time,he attacks with the team but is never caught by an opponent’s counter attack.My dearest Ozil needs a rest coz we need him in the bigger games.Roscicky is the real deal for us nowadays
I think the back 5 picks itself but I have to personally put arteta in ahead of flamini,he’s been a rock this year against Liverpool and Dortmund he was class breaking up play and really putting himself about in that holding midfield role not to mention he is a good penalty taker.
Szcezny
Sagna
Gibbs
Kos
BFG
Arteta
Rambo
Ozil
Wilshere
Walcott
Giroud
Used subs
Flamini -ozil
Cazorla – Walcott
Rosicky – wilshere